McAleese Visits Bahrain

President Mary McAleese began a five-day official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.

The President arrived in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, on Sunday morning, where she visited Bahrain National Museum and watched craftswomen working at an enterprise centre for families dependent on social assistance.

On Monday, she attended a welcome reception followed by a lunch hosted by His Majesty, the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa at which she was the guest of honour.

On Tuesday, Mrs McAleese met Bahrainian businesswomen and the Prime Minister of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa before officially opening the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland Medical University of Bahrain campus.

She also attended a reception hosted by members of the Irish community before leaving for the United Arab Emirates.