There has been a broad welcome to the news that President Michael D. Higgins will make an official state visit to the UK next year.

It will be the first time any Irish Head of State has made an official State visit there and follows the successful visit by Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland in 2011 - the first by a reigning British monarch in 100 years.

Both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have welcomed the news, as has Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams.

This is the first State Visit to the United Kingdom by a President of Ireland.

Retired Irish Diplomat Noel Dorr told Newstalk Breakfast it will be an historic occasion even though it is not President Higgins' first trip to the UK since his election.

Dorr, a former Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and former Irish Ambassador in London says the occasion will put a seal on the very very warm relationship between the two countries.

The President and Mrs. Higgins will stay at Windsor Castle. Queen Elizabeth II usually hosts one or two visiting Heads of State each year.