ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN

On Saturday 25 August 2018, President and Sabina Higgins will welcome His Holiness Francis to Áras an Uachtaráin.

The welcoming ceremony will include a guard of honour and the playing of national anthems. His Holiness will sign the Visitors’ Book in the State Reception Room, after which the two Heads of State will have a bilateral meeting. Following the meeting President and Sabina Higgins will accompany His Holiness to the gardens, where he will plant an Irish Oak tree.

Guard of Honour The Guard of Honour will be made up of members of the Irish Naval Service.

Vessels from the Irish Naval Service have been taking part in Operation Sophia in the Mediterranean Sea. That operation is aimed at disrupting the activities of people smugglers and assisting migrants to prevent loss of life at sea.

On St. Patrick’s Day 2016, President Higgins hosted a reception to honour the Irish Naval Service for their lifesaving work in the Mediterranean.

Officer in charge of the Guard of Honour: Lieutenant Aonghus Ó Neachtain. The Military Band performing at the ceremonies is the Army Number 1 Band from Cathal Brugha Barracks, conducted by Captain Fergal Carroll. The Colour Party is made up of staff from the 27th Infantry Battalion, Aiken Barracks, Dundalk. The Fanfare party is made up from staff of the 1 Brigade at Collins Barrack, Cork, and conducted by Captain Brian Prendergast. The trumpeters are Sgt Roy Kelleher, Bandsman Emmet Donlan and Bandsman Patrick O’Carroll.

Tree Planting The tradition of planting ceremonial tree in the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin began in September 1853, when Queen Victoria planted the first of three trees. The tradition was continued after Ireland's independence, and the first tree planted by a President of Ireland was planted in 1939 by President Douglas Hyde. Since then all Presidents of Ireland have planted ceremonial trees and visiting Heads of State have also been asked to plant trees. ’ tree will be planted in the same vicinity as the oak tree planted by Pope John Paul II on this occasion of his Papal visit in 1979.

Running Order

10.00 Arrival of media. 10.45 Arrival of Minister Katherine Zappone Met by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM (NS) and escorted to Salute Position. – Honours Rendered. Minister greeted by Secretary General to the President of Ireland, Mr. Art O’Leary, and escorted to Drawing Room 10.58 Minister Zappone escorted to Salute Position – Honours Rendered. 10.59 Irish Delegation move to welcome positions outside main door. 11.00 Arrival of Vatican advance delegation. 11.06 President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins escorted to the main entrance by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM (NS) – Honours Rendered 11.13 President and Sabina Higgins escorted to the Main Entrance. 11.15 Arrival of His Holiness Pope Francis. President and Sabina walk down the red carpet to greet His Holiness.

Principals turn to face media for formal photo opportunity. 11.20 President invites His Holiness to face the Guard of Honour drawn from the Irish Naval Service, reflecting the importance of its ongoing role in the Mediterranean. Playing of National Anthems. Members of Irish and visiting delegation will be introduced to His Holiness and to the President at the Portico, commencing with the Vatican delegation.

Vatican Delegation Members: Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, of the for Laity, Family and Life , Archbishop of Armagh, President of the Irish Bishops Conference Archbishop , Archbishop of Dublin Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Apostolic in Ireland Msgr. Paolo Borgia, Assessor for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State Msgr. Gianluca Pezzoli, of the Secretariat of State Msgr. Piotr Tarnawski, Counsellor of the Apostolic Nunciature in Ireland Msgr. Lucio Adrian Ruiz, Secretary of the Dicastery for Communications Fr. Timothy Bartlett, Local Coordinator for the Papal Visit

Irish Delegation Members: Ms. Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Mr. Art O’Leary, Secretary General to the President of Ireland Ms. Emma Madigan, Ambassador of Ireland to the Ms. Claire Power, Adviser to the President of Ireland Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM (NS), Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Mr. Donal O’Cualain, Acting Commissioner of An Garda Síochána Ms. Miriam Dollard, Chief of Protocol, Department of An Taoiseach

Principals escorted to State Reception Room, via the Lafranchini Corridor. 11.25 President invites His Holiness to sign Visitors Book in the State Reception Room. Principals move to the front of the desk, for a photo. 11.35 Principals escorted to President’s Study for têtê à têtê meeting. 11.50 President and Sabina escort His Holiness through Drawing room and out to garden for Tree Planting Ceremony. President introduces Robert Norris, Head Gardener, who will present ceremonial shovel to His Holiness. His Holiness plants an Irish Oak tree (quercus robur). Ceremony observed by the Hassoun family, who are asylum seekers from Syria, as well as by staff of organisations working at Áras an Uachtaráin and the Phoenix Park. Family members are: Mr. Saif Eddin Hassoun, Ms. Sanaa Edris, Mr. Mahmoud Al A'Araj, Ms. Hasba Hassoun, Lana Al A'Araj (6), Aala Al A'Araj (4) and Tala Al A'Araj (1) 11.55 Principals return to State Drawing Room. 12.00 President and Sabina escort His Holiness to Main Entrance to bid farewell 12.15 Media Depart