Relaxed start to Ireland visit for Clinton

Former US president Bill Clinton is due to make a relaxed start to his latest trip to Ireland with a round of golf in scenic Co Kerry.

Mr Clinton's visit, expected to last four days, will take him from the south of the island to the North.

He is due to fly into Farranfore Airport, Co Kerry, before heading to the links golf course at Ballybunion to tee-off with former Irish Deputy Prime Minister Dick Spring.

He is expected to spend the night at Dromoland Castle, Co Limerick, before two days of public engagements in Dublin.

He will pay courtesy calls on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and President Mary McAleese and will deliver this year's Trinity Lecture at Trinity College, Dublin.

The highlight of his trip to the capital is a celebrity-studded dinner in Dublin Castle on Tuesday, due to be attended by both Mr Ahern and Senator George Mitchell.

With seats at £10,000 a throw, the event will raise funds for the Northern Ireland Fund for Reconciliation.

Mr Clinton then heads to Ulster for a series of engagements.

He has played a pivotal behind-the-scenes role in the Northern Ireland peace process, paying an unprecedented three visits to the island during his eight years in office.

In November 1995, he became the first US president to visit Northern Island, with a tour taking in Dublin, Belfast and Derry. He returned in September 1998 and a third time last December.