President Michael D. Higgins has arrived in London for his official State visit to Britain - the first ever by an Irish President.
He starts his official engagements tomorrow morning.
The government jet, carrying the President, his wife Sabina - and the Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore and his wife Carol - left Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell just after 4pm.
It landed at Heathrow Airport in the British capital about 60 minutes later.
Speaking before he left, President Higgins said he hoped State visits between the two countries would become common.
President Higgins also spoke on his hopes for the future of Anglo-Irish relations.
The visit is attracting increased attention after Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness, accepted an invitation to the State banquet with the Queen at Windsor Castle.
President Higgins left Áras an Uachtaráin this afternoon and travelled under escort to Baldonnel, enjoying full military honours.
The President received full military honours at Áras an Uachtaráin
The visit officially gets underway tomorrow morning with a packed four-day schedule.
The detail and personal nature of the visit is deemed to represent the closer links between the two countries.
The first days of the visit will see events at Windsor Castle and the Houses of Parliament, as well as a meeting with the British Prime Minister in Downing Street.
Irish Times London correspondent Mark Hennessey spoke to Newstalk Breakfast earlier.
Other elements later in the week include a visit to a farm, events at the birthplace of Shakespeare, Oxford and Coventry.
