President McAleese
9-day visit down under
President Mary McAleese is due to fly out to Australia this evening for the start of a nine day official visit to the country.
During the visit the President will review the St Patrick's Day parade in Sydney before travelling to the capital, Canberra, for the celebrations on the 17th.
The Governor General of Australia will host a luncheon in her honour there and she will attend a reception for over 500 'friends of Ireland'.
