President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina will take part in an international commemorative ceremony in Liège in Belgium today to mark 100 years since the beginning of the first World War.

The ceremony will also be attended by the presidents of France and Germany, and members of the British and Belgian royal families.

Then later this evening, President Higgins and Mrs Higgins will attend a service in Mons, where the first Irish soldiers killed in the conflict are buried.

Meanwhile, Irish soldiers will be remembered with a unique tribute in County Cavan later today.

A replica trench is to be unveiled by Cavan County Museum to honour soldiers from the Irish Fusiliers.

Museum curator Savina Donohoe says Irish men and woman played a vital role in the war.