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Taoiseach Brian Cowen was in Crossmaglen last night for the formal opening of Fianna Fail's first offices in the north. Mr Cowen is the first serving taoiseach to visit the town in south Armagh's republican heartland.

He was one of more than 100 guests who attended a formal dinner at the Cross Square Hotel.

South Armagh Fianna Fail activist Martin McAllister said it was a "significant" occasion.

"People understand the symbolism of it, opening a party office in Crossmaglen," he said.

"We are very happy to have him here and we need him for the simple reason this area of Crossmaglen isn't going anywhere."

After the North Street offices were opened Mr Cowen attended a fund-raising event at the hotel.

Fianna Fail officially launched north of the border last year after members voted unanimously to adopt a motion to formally establish branches in every county in Ireland.

The party said it would enter future elections in Northern Ireland.

However, the party machine appeared keen to play down the importance of Mr Cowen's visit to south Armagh.

A spokeswoman said yesterday that the leader was "attending a private dinner".

The party has been proceeding cautiously, with senior members said to be divided over the extent of any organisation north of the border.

Its traditional support for the SDLP has been strained following new leader Margaret Ritchie's insistence that there would be no merger "on my watch" during a scathing speech at the Republic's Labour Party conference earlier this year.

It has been long speculated that some sort of formal pact between the two parties would be forged in an attempt to thwart their political rivals Sinn Fein.

Fianna Fail member Gerry McHugh, who attended last night's events said they were "very significant in political terms".

The Co Fermanagh politican, who sits as an independent in the assembly, said it was another first for the "historic village".

"Brian Cowen is the first taoiseach to come into Crossmaglen, let alone open an office here," he said.

"It is the continuation of a conversation going on at senior level, and indeed at every level, within Fianna Fail members.

"It is the senior republican party on the island of Ireland and this is a natural enough situation that will develop on from here."