Ahern and Paisley to visit Battle of Boyne site in Meath

The new mood of peace and reconciliation in the North is set to be strengthened today when the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Northern First Minister Ian Paisley make a joint visit to the site of the Battle of the Boyne in Co Meath.

The event marks Dr Paisley's first visit to the Republic since being sworn in as the new First Minister at Stormont on Tuesday.

Security will be tight for the historic visit, which is a further sign of the thawing relations between the DUP and the Government.

Dr Paisley and Mr Ahern are due to visit an exhibition related to the Battle of the Boyne at Oldbridge House, while the DUP leader is also due to present the Taoiseach with a replica musket.

The Tánaiste Michael McDowell and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern are also expected to be in attendance, along with several ministers from the new Northern Executive and members of the Orange Order.