The president of Finland, Tarja Halonen, begins a three-day State visit to Ireland tomorrow.
President Halonen will be officially welcomed by President Mary McAleese at a ceremony at Aras an Uachtarain to include a 21-gun salute and Air Corps fly-past.
Finland held a national day of mourning last week after an 18-year-old man went on a gun rampage at his school and killed seven pupils and a teacher.
The two presidents will hold a private meeting and attend a tree-planting ceremony in the grounds of the Aras ahead of a state dinner.
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President Halonen's husband Dr Pentti Arajarvi will accompany her on the trip.