Michael D. Higgins has become the first sitting Irish President to attend the Venice Biennale – the worlds biggest and oldest international art exhibition.
It comes ahead of President Higgins audience with the Pope in Rome tomorrow afternoon.
Following the meeting with the Catholic Pontiff, he is set to attend a function with staff at Rome’s historic Irish College.
In Venice this afternoon, the president visited the Irish Pavilion at the historic art exhibition alongside his wife Sabina and viewed an installation by Dublin-based artist Jesse Jones.
The work takes its title ‘Tremble Tremble’ from the 1970s Italian Wages for Housework movement.
During the movement, women chanted "Tremate, tremate, le streghe sono tornate!" ("Tremble, Tremble, the witches have returned!").
The visual arts curator of the Project Arts Centre, Tessa Giblin has overseen Ireland’s offering as commissioner.
Actress Olwen Fouéré is performing at the exhibition.
President Higgins will become the first serving President of Ireland to attend the Venice Biennale. #irelandatvenice pic.twitter.com/UwelyjqAbs
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) May 19, 2017
The Culture Ireland CEO Christine Sisk accompanied the President and Sabina on their visit to the various pavilions of the Venice Biennale.