As the President continues his UK State visit, we look at the close economic relationship Ireland has with its neighbour.
Michael D. Higgins is today visiting a sustainable farm in Oxfordshire. But what about the numbers behind the visit?
Just over 33% of Irish exports go to Britain, meaning it accounts for around one-third of consumption there.
It is also the largest destination for Irish food and drink - with €4.2 billion worth of products from Ireland going across the Irish Sea.
Bord Bia have released the infographic below, highlighting the importance of the UK market to Irish food and drink exporters.
Meanwhile Tourism Ireland and VisitBritain have announced a new agreement to boost tourist numbers from long-haul markets like China and India.
Under the agreement, Tourism Ireland and VisitBritain will work even closer together in long-haul markets to promote the island of Ireland and Great Britain as destinations to be visited.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, and Sandie Dawe, CEO of VisitBritain.
The aims of the MoU are twofold: to align the work of both agencies, combining their activities in markets where appropriate; and to increase visitor numbers and revenue to both the island of Ireland and Great Britain from long-haul markets.
