President Higgins to attend first official engagements

Michael D Higgins will attend his first official engagement today as the country's new President.

In keeping with the multi-denominational faith service of his inauguration, President Higgins will attend Remembrance Sunday Evensong at St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin this evening.

President Higgins will be joined at the event by journalist Kevin Myers, who is to address the congregation.

He will also visit Derry, a trip that will be seen as a first step to fulfuling the pledge he made at his inauguration to continue the work of his predecessors Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese in deepening and sustaining peace between all communities on the island.

In Derry, President Higgins will present the winning trophy to the All Island School Choir of the Year.

Next week , one of President Higgins' first duties will be to appoint seven people to the Council of State, the body which advises the President in the exercise of his discretionary powers.