President Michael D. Higgins earlier unveiled a plaque in honour of Leonard Cohen in Athy.
The plaque is part of the “Made of Athy” project, which honours people with links to the town.
The project, which celebrates a sense of place and community in the town, is supported by the Kildare County Council Arts Office.
The late Canadian’s songwriter’s link to Athy is that he collaborated on the script of the play ‘Between Your Love and Mine’ with John MacKenna.
In November 2016, President Higgins paid a warm tribute to Leonard Cohen following his death.
The head of state said at the time: "In his timeless songs, Leonard Cohen captured not just feelings of loneliness and loss, but also the essence of human life: love, beauty, humour, as well as social and political engagement.
"His vast and diverse music repertoire has been widely recognised, receiving awards and critical acclaim, and gaining him fans around the world. Leonard Cohen has left a lasting legacy and his work will continue to inspire current and future generations.
"He was deeply influenced by William Butler Yeats and he made a very warm connection with his Irish audiences - a fact that he valued and emphasised to me when I met him in Dublin."
Unemployed
Earlier today, President Higgins met service users and staff at the Kildare Centre for the Unemployed in Athy.
Established in 1986 by the Kildare Council Of Trade Unions and job seekers in Co. Kildare and other concerned citizens, the centre assists people who are unemployed.
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