Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has touched down in Dublin for a six-hour flying visit to the Irish capital.
Slightly behind schedule, the former political prisoner arrived on a flight from Norway, where she had collected her Nobel Peace Prize 21 years after it was awarded.
Ms Suu Kyi, who turns 67 on Tuesday, was met by Ireland's foreign minister, Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore.
The Tanaiste praised Ms Suu Kyi and pledged Irish support to her future efforts in Burma.
He said her election to parliament alongside the military-backed government heralds a new era of peace, democracy and human rights.
"I am honoured on behalf of the government to give a warm cead mile failte to Aung San Suu Kyi on the occasion of her historic visit to Ireland this afternoon," Mr Gilmore went on.
"Ms Suu Kyi is enormously admired in this country and her visit here is something which we have long hoped to see."
The Tanaiste praised Ms Suu Kyi and pledged Irish support to her future efforts in Burma.
He said her election to parliament alongside the military-backed government heralds a new era of peace, democracy and human rights.
"I am honoured on behalf of the government to give a warm cead mile failte to Aung San Suu Kyi on the occasion of her historic visit to Ireland this afternoon," Mr Gilmore went on.
"Ms Suu Kyi is enormously admired in this country and her visit here is something which we have long hoped to see."
President Michael D Higgins, a veteran human rights campaigner, said he was pleased to hear first hand Ms Suu Kyi's account of the challenges she now faces.
"I expressed the warm welcome and admiration, which is felt for her in this country," he said.
"At our meeting, I recalled her case being brought to my attention in 1989 through material that had been forwarded by Daw Suu Kyi's late husband, Michael Aris.
"This formed the basis for my raising and pursuing her situation, and that of the people of Burma, in the Oireachtas in late 1989 and on through 1991 and succeeding years."
Mr Higgins said he continued to take a close personal interest in the former prisoner's struggle since then and joined an international community that has welcomed her freedom to participate and respond to the political life of her people.
"I wished Daw Suu Kyi every success with her Irish visit and her ongoing important work on behalf of the Burmese people, which enjoys the full support of the Irish people," he added.
Ms Suu Kyi made her entrance to thunderous applause from 2,000 human rights campaigners, celebrities and music fans as the Electric Burma concert in her honour at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner sat next to rock star Bono, who helped organise the gig.
The audience was treated to a performance by Riverdance, and music and readings from Irish stars including singers Declan O'Rourke and Damien Rice, and actress Saoirse Ronan.
Legendary James Bond star and activist Roger Moore was among those at the event, as well as Derry-born poet Seamus Heaney.
U2 star Bono thanked Ms Suu Kyi for choosing to visit Ireland during her first trip away from Burma as a free woman.
The musician also joked she travelled to Dublin today to coincide with Ireland's final football match in the Euro 2012 competition tonight.
"We are humbled, grateful at the fact one of your first trips overseas, you have chosen a small rock in the north Atlantic," said Bono.
"Although we know why - it is to hold our hands through the Italy game."
The rock star joked with Ms Suu Kyi, before presenting her with an Amnesty Ambassador of Conscience Award, that only a woman could have sat so still for so long during a 23-year house arrest.
"After all your years of wide-open heartache and in a closed space, your newly travelled road has brought you to Dublin to a great big bun fight in your honour," he went on.
The U2 singer said Ireland and the world have much to learn from Ms Suu Kyi, saying she teaches that "peace is not the absence of war around us, but the absence of war within us".
He also paid tribute to the 2,000 people packed inside the theatre and human rights campaigners who have supported Ms Suu Kyi over the years.
"The honour is to be in your presence," he added. "Everyone is here to sing tonight, but it's your song. It's a timeless song."
Accepting her award from Bono on behalf of Amnesty International, Ms Suu Kyi said she found the whole experience "totally unexpected".
"To receive this award is to remind me that 24 years ago, I took on duties from which I have never been relieved," said Ms Suu Kyi.
"But you have given me the strength to carry them out. You have shown me that I shall never be alone as I go about my discharge of these duties."
Other recipients of the Amnesty award include former Irish president Mary Robinson and Nelson Mandela, with whom Ms Suu Kyi has been compared.
Ms Suu Kyi will later depart for a four-day visit to Britain, where she lived, studied and married before returning and launching her long campaign in Burma.
Updated: 2025, 18 June 2012 with concert news