The organisers of next summer's Olympics in London have confirmed that Dublin will be part of the Olympic Torch relay.
The torch will visit Dublin on 6 June and organisers say the event will "culminate in a mid-morning celebration event at a city centre location".
Further details of the day's events and the torch's route around the city will be announced next year.
The torch is due to travel around Northern Ireland from Sunday 3 June to Thursday 7 June.
Chairman of the London 2012 organising committee, Seb Coe, said they were delighted to bring the torch to Dublin.
"This is a historic opportunity to showcase the wealth of sporting talent from across the Republic of Ireland ahead of the competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games."
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring said: "I am delighted that the Olympic Flame will travel across the border into the Republic next year in the run-up to the 2012 London Olympics.
"This historic occasion recognises the friendship, peace and cooperation that now exists on the island of Ireland and demonstrates the unifying power of sport."
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: "The announcement that the Olympic Torch relay is to come to Dublin is fantastic news and will put Ireland centre-stage in the immediate run-in to the games."
Olympic Games Executive Director Gilbert Felli said that there were no concerns over possible repeats of the disturbances that affected the Beijing torch relay in several cities on the international route.
Mr Felli said: "Regarding Beijing relay and what happened then that is why it (the Dublin decision) has been taking a bit of time.
"Knowing the sensibility of the issue here we wanted to know that the Irish government was in the loop.
"All analyses were made of the risk to security and it was based on those analyses the board took its decision."
Meanwhile, the first group of torchbearers who will carry the flame at next year's games are to be unveiled to the public today.
A handful of the 8,000 torchbearers who will carry the flame 8,000 miles around the UK will be introduced to media in events around the country.
Twelve people, who have received conditional offers, will join Mr Coe at an event in east London.
More torchbearers will be introduced in 11 similar events across the country.
On parts of the journey the flame will go via horseback, bicycle, tram and steam train.
Organisers said the torch will go through 1,018 villages, towns and cities and will be within an hour's journey of 95% of the UK population.
The relay will take in hundreds of landmarks, including Snowdon, Stormont, Loch Ness and Stonehenge.
LOCOG said the route will showcase and celebrate the diversity of the UK and give people a chance to "connect" with the Games.
Torchbearers are picked because of a "personal achievement" or contribution to their local community.
On the final day of the relay, 27 July, LOCOG expects the flame to travel down the River Thames.
It will make its way to the Olympic Stadium for the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony, signifying the Games' official start.
