Simon Harris and Micheál Martin ran into each other this afternoon on the election trail in Killorglin for the first time on this campaign.
The Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil leaders bumped into each other outside the library, both surrounded by well wishers and supporters.
It was a warm exchange, with Mr Harris making his way over to meet Mr Martin, where both men shook hands.
The impromptu meeting comes as political parties focus on newborns and pensioners, as the election campaign enters its second week.
Nominations for the election closed at midday. Hundreds of people have already declared their candidacy across the country.
Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are promising to raise the pension to €350.
Fine Gael leader Simon Harris will be canvassing in Kerry later, where he will announce a range of policy proposals focused on older people.
Among them a pledge that thousands of more pensioners would be helped with household bills if Fine Gael is returned to the Government.
The party is promising that the household benefits package which contributes €420 annually to heating bills and provides a free TV licence to over 70s, would be available to those over 66.
Fianna Fáil is also promising a €350 increase in the state pension, an increase in the living alone allowance and abolishing the means test for the carers' allowance.
Sinn Féin will outline proposals to support parents of new babies as the party also launches its childcare policy.
Labour will be calling for a review of defence force pay and pensions.
The cost of living will be the focus for People Before Profit-Solidarity who will call for price caps on certain goods and energy.
Meanwhile, the leader of Aontú said he would not be willing to talk to Fine Gael or the Green Party in government negotiations after the General Election.
Peadar Tóibín insisted his party will not put the two parties back into government, given what he described as "the damage that they've done to the country."
He was speaking outside Leinster House in Dublin at the launch of the party's election candidates.
"Incredibly, I think we're the only opposition party at the moment that's refusing to put those two parties back into government," Mr Tóibín said.
"Even the Soc Dems, the Labour Party and Sinn Féin are happy to talk with anybody in relation to putting these parties back into government and I think that's a mistake, I do not think it's what the people want at home," he added.
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