Historic visit by Queen set for Ireland

You guys didn't post I made yesterday!

(continued from earlier)best all parties could arrive at. Remember the Good Friday Agreement folks?

Regrettably there seems to be a great deal of misinformation being deliberately and mischievously posted on this and other websites regarding the visit of Queen Elizabeth to Ireland. I am an Irish national living in England,let me assure you Irish Americans including the greater part of my wider family who would regard themselves as such, the the visit has the approval of the vast majotity of Irish living in the UK happy to be here and earning a living here. As to whether the great and the good of Ireland will be required to 'bow and scrape'to the Queen, the required protocol is basically as follows; Those meeting her will be expected to show the same courtesy as would be afforded to any other visiting head of state.'Bowing and scraping'is not likely to occur nor will it be expected by her or her advisors. Yes, I acknowledge the continued occupation of the six counties.It's a far from perfect situation but it is the

To those who believe that the English Queen’s visit to Ireland will help relations between our two countries, for your information, most Englishmen would happily piss all over Ireland given half the chance! The Queen of England needs to visit Ireland because of her horses who need some “manpower”, and all she has back home are “Jackasses”! There’s nothing to be gained by the English queen’s visit to Ireland, unless as “mandokeith” stated here, “she brings with her an exit strategy and a hell of a large apology”! Finally, we all had relatives that fought in the war for Irish independence, but it’s very important to know, for what side?

michaelcollins, thank you! Amid the expected hysteria, a refreshing piece of common sense. I suspect that most of the intemperate drivel comes from people who know little about Ireland or its history and what they do know is pathetically inaccurate (the stuff we learned in "History of Ireland by J. Carty & Son in which all of our problems were laid on the doorstep of John Bull). I always found it difficult to correlate what I was taught and what I saw - no fathers anywhere. They were all working in England to keep their families in Ireland from starving. Poverty in many parts of Ireland increased following independence - as successive governments (mostly Fianna Fail) proved that they could plunder more effectively than administer the country.

This trip is part in parcel of the peace process. The Queen should visit Ireland and the majority of Irish people will welcome her. Sinn Fein has to illustrate their oppposition to the visit to keep their "rank and file" happy. However, behind the scenes, Adams and McGuiness know that the trip will help relations between the two countries.

malcolm: "I had kin that fought for Irish independence" ----- Just what is the relevance of what your great-grand uncle did 100 years ago?

Unless she brings a big apology, or an exit strategy, she should stay home!!!!!!

I had kin that fought for Irish independence - were killed for it - and I think her visit is a good idea.

Yes Colleen - very controversial. A senile old woman visits Ireland; bringing with a quick shot of economic activity. LEt's say NO....

Oh this is very controversial

It should be left up to the Irish people to decide. If the majority want this visit to happen then so be it. If not then the time is obviously not right.

This is where I disagree with Sinn Fein. Welcoming the British head of state with to will, I believe, show to the Loyalist community that there is plenty of room in a United Ireland for those who have a cultural and political affinity with the British.

There'll be no shortage of toadies in Ireland to bow and scrape before this woman.

If Sinn Fein don't let go of their bitterness we will never get a true sense of peace in this Country. Does it really matter that she comes to visit. We have lots of heads of state visit so why not her.