The British queen’s four-day visit to Ireland in May 2011 was historic. It was the first state visit to the country by a reigning British monarch since the formation of the Republic.
The British queen’s four-day visit to Ireland in May 2011 was historic. It was the first state visit to the country by a reigning British monarch since the formation of the Republic.
As part of her visit, she visited Áras an Uachtaráin, the Garden of Remembrance, Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse, the National Stud, Coolmore, the Rock of Cashel and Cork’s English Market.
She laid a wreath to honour those who died for Irish independence, which was deeply symbolic.
There were protests held in opposition to her visit but it was generally well received in Ireland.
The cúpla focail she uttered during her 2011 visit, at a dinner in Dublin Castle, was also seen as a very symbolic move.
The British monarch addressed President Mary McAleese and those in attendance as Gaeilge, which drew a standing ovation.
The speech paid homage to all those who worked tirelessly to normalise relations between both nations and especially those who worked on the Good Friday Agreement to allow Northern Ireland to become “the exciting and inspirational place that it is today”.
