A series of events commemorating the start of the Battle of the Somme will take place across Ireland and France today.
President Michael D. Higgins and minister Heather Humphreys will attend some of these celebrations, along with members of the British Royal Family.
The Battle of the Somme began on this day one hundred years ago during the First World War. It would rage until November 1916, costing the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers on both sides of the conflict.
The battle is notable due to the integration of air power to support a land offensive, and for the first use of armored elements during warfare.