President Michael D Higgins has met president-elect Catherine Connolly in Áras an Uachtaráin.
President Higgins wished her “health and happiness” during the visit.
They shook hands, embraced and exchanged a few words as Gaeilge.
They joked about whether they should link and raise their hands for photographs, while also remarking that the media was “very important” and thanked those who had come.
President Higgins is due to hold a formal meeting with Ms Connolly in his study later.
The two know one another from their time in the Labour Party in Galway city and local and national politics.
President Higgins was accompanied by his wife Sabina, while Catherine Connolly’s husband Brian McInery was also present.
Ms Connolly received just over 63% of first preference votes and was elected on the first count in the Presidential election.
She will be inaugurated as the tenth president of Ireland next Tuesday at a ceremony in Dublin Castle.
Later, she will move into the presidential residence in Phoenix Park.
President Higgins and his wife are due to move out the previous day after two seven year terms.
They are set to move back to their Galway home.