Kilkenny's St Canice's Cathedral celebrates its 800th anniversary this weekend, with events and attractions organised to recognise its extensive history and prominence in the city.
An exhibition of antiquities will be held, featuring ancient manuscripts and books from the cathedral's collection as well as colourful embroidered frontals which are still in use.
The cathedral is a parish church and holds daily daily services, but it is also a major tourist attraction visited by thousands of visitors each year.
Another popular attraction is the round tower beside the cathedral, which dates from the ninth century.
It is approximately 100 ft high and offers commanding views of the Kilkenny city.
Visitors to the cathedral this weekend will be given an opportunity to view the bell tower, where a team of bell-ringers will provide demonstrations. Workshops are also being held in ancient Irish arts including calligraphy, dry stone wall building, as well as stained glass and jewellery making.
A parade and pageant will be held today, leaving the gates of Kilkenny to make its way through the streets of the city to the cathedral.
Local schoolchildren dressed as prominent figures from the cathedral's history will be led by the town crier.
The pageant will also feature a replica of the ancient Aghaboe Stone.
The original stone still lies beneath St Kieran's chair in the north transept of the cathedral.
Mr Malcolm Proud, the cathedral's organist, and Ms Tanya Sewell, a mezzo soprano, will perform some classical pieces from 6 p.m., filling the vaulted ceilings of the cathedral with music this teatime.
To formally mark the anniversary, the cathedral select vestry commissioned Mr Ruairí Carroll, a local stonemason, to design and carve a stone seat.
Fashioned in the mould of the ancient St Kieran's chair in the cathedral, the commemorative seat, dedicated to St Canice, will be placed in the grounds beside the tower.
Sunday's ecumenical service will be attended by all local clergy, including Bishop of Ossory Laurence Forristal, as well as local politicians and public representatives from the city and county councils.
This will be the last official function for Bishop of Cashel, Waterford, Lismore, Ossory, Leighlin and Ferns, John Neill, before taking up his new position of Archbishop of Dublin.
Bishop Christine Odenberg and Per Arne Joelson of Lünd, in Sweden, a diocese linked to both Cashel and Ossory, have travelled to Ireland for the events.
The President, Mrs McAleese, was unable to attend due to a busy schedule, but sent her best wishes.