The President, along with the First and Deputy First Ministers, have welcomed the instillation of Rev William Morton as Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.
The new dean was installed by the precentor, Canon Peter Campion, before a congregation of more than 500 people which included Michael D Higgins, Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness.
Ms Foster said she was privileged to read a lesson at the beautiful installation service while Mr McGuinness said Derry's loss was Dublin's gain.
The dean and his wife Rosemary received a warm welcome from the cathedral community and were also joined by a large number of friends from St Columb's Cathedral in Derry.
The 59-year-old had served at St Columb's since 1997. He was previously a curate in Letterkenny. A graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, Dean Morton was ordained deacon in 1988 and "priested" the following year.
His appointment to Dublin was welcomed widely in Church of Ireland circles. Bishop of Derry and Raphoe Ken Good said it was "a fitting recognition of his highly effective work".
At the installation service, preacher Venerable Scott Harte, the retired Archdeacon of Raphoe, paid tribute to Dean Morton's involvement in transforming relationships and working towards a brighter future in Derry.
Dean Morton, he said, was coming from a city with a Peace Bridge to a cathedral with a door of reconciliation, which also symbolised the healing of divisions.
"Already firmly established as a contemporary place of pilgrimage, the bridge has become a focal point of civic activity, and has radically changed perceptions of the `maiden city' both locally and further afield," Archdeacon Harte said.
"However, the construction of the Peace Bridge marked the culmination of much bridge building which had already been accomplished. Patiently and unobtrusively, through the efforts of dedicated individuals, including our new dean, relationships marred by bitterness and suspicion were transformed by trust and goodwill into a common resolve to work together towards a brighter and better future.
"In welcoming William Morton as Dean of Saint Patrick's, we journey from a city with a bridge of peace to a cathedral with a door of reconciliation which also symbolises the healing of divisions. At this service of Installation, a bridge of peace and a door of reconciliation come together to reveal a window of opportunity. Arresting new vistas are in prospect."
