Anaconda and Butte will welcome to special visitors Saturday.      

The Irish Consul General Gerry Staunton and the National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Seamus Boyle will visit the cities during a four-city tour of Montana hosted by the Friends of Irish Studies and the AOH.

The two will first visit Anaconda Saturday morning for a meet-and-greet event at the AOH Hall beginning at 10:30 a.m. The event is open to the public.

The gathering will be followed by a tour of the town, then it's on to Butte for lunch at the Finlen Hotel.

Tickets for the lunch are still available but they are going fast. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased at the door or County Celtic.

The visit is in support of the Irish Studies Program at the University of Montana in Missoula, Board President of the Friends of Irish Study Jerry Sullivan said.

"Which has significant implications for Butte because Butte is at the center of Irish history in Montana and, because of all the assets that exist here, in that regard, it could be a significant interest," Sullivan said.

Sullivan said the Irish government has committed $120,000 over the next three years in support of the program.

The day will wrap up with a dinner in Helena.

The visit re-affirms the support of the Irish Consulate and the Irish government for the Irish Studies program at the University of Montana.