South Africa is preparing for the funeral of Nelson Mandela tomorrow.
Large scale open areas are being turned into "mourning parks" to accomodate the thousands of people expected to attend his memorial service.
President Michael D Higgins and the Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore are travelling to Johannesburg for the service - whilst the South African parliament will pay tribute to Mr Mandela in a special session today.
The South African parliament is to meet Monday in Cape Town for a special session to honour the hero who emerged from 27 years in prison to lead his country out of the shadow of apartheid into a multi-racial democracy.
Mandela last appeared in the House in February 2010, the 20th anniversary of his release.
His former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and grandson Mandla are both ruling African National Congress (ANC) members of parliament, but it was unclear if they would participate in the session.
"We hope some members of the Mandela family will be there," ANC caucus spokesman Moloto Mothapo said.
Former president FW de Klerk, who shared the 1993 Nobel peace Prize with Mandela, was also invited.
For the past three days, 24-hour vigils have been held outside the Johannesburg residence where Mandela died -- the mood alternating between one of profound loss and relief that his physical suffering was over.
Reporter in South Africa is John Jack Cornish
