McAleese to visit US

President Mary McAleese is to make an eight-day visit to the US next week, it was confirmed tonight.

The head of state’s itinerary will be concentrated on engagements in the three states of Montana, Colorado and Indiana.

The Taoiseach and members of the Government officially approved the foreign visit at today’s weekly Cabinet meeting.

Mrs McAleese will be the principal speaker and the recipient of an honorary doctor of laws degree at the University of Notre Dame on May 21.

Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds also received this honour in 1994.

The president will also visit the Butte region of Montana where emigrants from Co Cork’s Beara Peninsula emigrated to work in the copper mines in late 1800s.

Mrs McAleese will depart on Monday and return onTuesday, May 23.