THE German Chancellor, Dr Helmut Kohl, and his wife, Hannelore, were seen off at Dublin Airport yesterday evening by the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton.
The Chancellor had earlier visited historical sites in the city and made a brief trip to Glendalough, Co Wicklow.
Dr Kohl returns tomorrow with other EU leaders for the European Council meeting at Dublin Castle.
The President, Mrs Robinson, hosted the Chancellor's official visit to Aras an Uachtarain yesterday morning before he travelled to Trinity College, where he was met by the Taoiseach.
He spoke to German students at the college and viewed the Book of Kells.
Heavy rain put paid to the Chancellor's plans to do a "walkabout" in Grafton Street and Stephen's Green and he was instead taken to St Patrick's Cathedral, a building he had wished to visit.
Later, in a celebration of German Unity Day, Chancellor and Mrs Kohl travelled to a special ceremony at the RDS which was attended by members of the German community in Dublin.
There he touched again on some of the themes already explored in his Dail speech and in an address to Wednesday night's dinner which was held in his honour at Dublin Castle.
Europe, he said, was like a house with "a flat on a permanent lease to our American friends".
This house had strict bylaws and rules that everyone must abide by.
Disputes should be settled within the walls of the house and not on the street, because this meant war.
On his way to the RDS he had passed a school and numerous children. He hoped that by 2050, they would look back and say that those in power today "saw the signs and charted the right course".
He asked his audience to participate in the European Union endeavour "so the Irish and Germans, as good friends, can participate in a bright future".
Dr Kohl then went to Glendalough before travelling back to Dublin Airport.