The President Michael D Higgins and the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore will travel to South Africa this Tuesday to attend a memorial service for the late Nelson Mandela at Johannasburg football stadium.
The former South African President died on Thursday evening.
The body of the 95 year old will lie in state in Pretoria, from Wednesday to Friday, before his State funeral takes place next Sunday, December 15th.
A week of national mourning has now begun in South Africa.
This woman explains why she wanted to pay her respects:.
Here at home, Dubliners will pay their respects to the late Nelson Mandela today as a number of Books of Condolence open
Books will open at St Patrick's Cathedral - while a book, which opened at the Mansion House yesterday, will be also be available over the weekend.
The South African Embassy will be opening one on Monday.
Meanwhile the Prince Charles has been speaking about his memories of the country's former President.