Leaders join tribute to Irish war dead

President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will today be among the guests at the National Day of Commemoration for all Irish who died in foreign wars.

The event will take place at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham.

During the ceremony, the President will lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland and a Special Cadet Guard of Honour from the 83 Cadet Class will mark the occasion.

A Guard of Honour will be provided by the 27th Infantry Battalion from Aiken Barracks, Dundalk and a Presidential Escort of Honour drawn from the 2nd Cavalry Squadron from Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea and the the Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Dermot Earley will also be in attendance.

The ceremony will begin at 11am.