When the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed a joint sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas via video link in early April 2022, the then ceann comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl was the man who warmly introduced him.
A certain fervour was sweeping the country at the time with many people opening up their homes to Ukrainian refugees and the country's flag was almost as prominent as the tricolour during the St Patrick's Day celebrations just weeks earlier.
Indeed, in one north Dublin town a Fine Gael councillor was seen distributing hundreds of Ukrainian flags to children watching the annual parade.
The gesture perfectly encapsulated the mood of the country back then.
Today, the Ukrainian president will speak to TDs and Senators in person and ask for their support as his country engages in what may well be defining peace talks.
Three-and-a-half years on from his last Oireachtas address, the former ceann comhairle believes the vast majority of people in Ireland still strongly support Ukraine.
This includes providing shelter for what he terms "displaced people".
However, the veteran Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare-South also detects "a view developing that what we can do may have to be limited, given that a war weariness is setting in".
Ironically, the widespread applause to that address by Mr Zelensky to the Dáil chamber in 2022 recently became a point of controversy during the presidential election.
Amid repeated questioning President Catherine Connolly, who was then an Independent TD, insisted that she did clap in the aftermath of that speech.
She also condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine but had accused NATO of warmongering in the lead up to the conflict.
And she has consistently spoken about the need for peace initiatives rather than increased EU military spending.
Today, the Ukrainian president's visit to Arás an Uachtaráin will offer the first glimpse of how President Connolly handles such encounters.
In the lead up to polling day in October, she did express the view that such meetings typically do not delve deep into controversial issues, all of which suggests that today's visit will adhere to all required diplomatic niceties.
Since February 2022, more than 120,000 Ukrainians were granted temporary protection in Ireland and an estimated 83,000 are still living here.
But much has changed since 2022 when it comes to the State accommodation available to people fleeing the war in Ukraine and it was most recently capped at 30 days.
Along the way, there were welfare cuts too for those who were provided with this accommodation.
Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman was the minister who was central to preparing the State's initial response to those arriving in Ireland from Ukraine in 2022.
He feels that most Irish people remain supportive of the actions the State has taken to support Ukraine.
He said: "There are Ukrainian families embedded in communities all over our country, many for over three years now.
"Irish people understand first-hand the impact this war has had on these people and the real value that providing safety and stability for these families represents."
That view is shared by Tánaiste Simon Harris who sees the visit as an important opportunity for President Zelensky to see the enormous solidarity shown by Irish people in towns and villages across the country towards the Ukrainian people, many of whom are living and working here and making a contribution to the economy.
The resounding message from the Taoiseach and the Government will be one of unwavering support for the Ukrainian president.
Micheál Martin is keen to ensure that Ireland does everything possible to strengthen Ukraine's hand at the negotiating table.
To that end, the Cabinet will this morning pledge an additional €100m in non-lethal military support for Ukraine, and a contribution of €25m for the country's urgent energy needs.
