Former President of Ireland to be guest of honour at special dinner in Kilkenny Castle

Former president Mary McAleese and her husband Martin are guests of honour at a special dinner hosted by Paul Smithwick at Kilkenny Castle this evening.

Kilkenny’s World War I memorial will also be launched at the event which will be attended by dignitaries from Ireland and the UK.

Mrs McAleese will also be celebrating her birthday in the castle’s Long Gallery later this evening.

She is of course a Free Woman of Kilkenny having received the Freedom of the city in 2009.