THOUSANDS of people are expected at events in Dublin and Limerick when the spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, arrives today on his first visit in 20 years.

The Nobel Peace Laureate will take part in a series of events for the social change initiative 'Possibilities 2011'.

Public engagements during his low-key visit will begin tomorrow when he visits Kildare.

Later, in Dublin, he will speak at a civic summit at Citywest Hotel. Among the speakers will be former President and ex-UN Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson.

The Dalai Lama will also visit the University of Limerick on Thursday to address an audience of 3,000.

The two-hour event has been organised in conjunction with the Children in Crossfire organisation, which was established by Richard Moore, a long-time friend of the Nobel Laureate.

The Irish Chamber Orchestra's youth chorus will perform a new song especially written for the visit, while other performers will include the Monks of Glenstal Abbey.

Irish Independent