PHOTOS - The Queen's historic visit to Ireland photo gallery
The Regal has landed – Queen Elizabeth is on Irish soil and on her way to lunch with President Mary McAleese amid massive security.
The Royal Jet landed at Casement Aerodrome, home to the Irish Aer Corps, at noon at the start of a four day State visit
Clad in emerald green, Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Phillip were greeted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamonn Gilmore, leader of the Labor Party.
After a brief walk down the red carpet, she was presented with a bouquet of flowers by a young girl before making her way to the President’s residence in the Phoenix Park. The girl who presented the flowers was eight year old Rachel Fox from Shankill in Dublin
The most expensive security arrangements in the history of the State marked the arrival of the first British monarch to visit the Republic since the establishment of the state.
A hundred years after her grandfather King George visited Ireland, the Queen was greeted at Aras an Uachtarain by President McAleese and her husband Martin.
On arrival, she is to plant a tree in the gardens of the Presidential residence in honor of the peace process.
After a bacon and cabbage lunch, the Queen will visit the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square where she will lay a wreath in honor of the leaders of the 1916 Rising.
PHOTOS - The Queen's historic visit to Ireland photo gallery
Protestors from the Eirigi Republican group have already gathered near the Garden, opened in 1966 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Rising.
The Royal party will be shielded from the protestors by a massive police presence and they are not expected to disrupt the ceremony.
The small protest follows the discovery of a viable device on a bus in Maynooth on Monday night and bomb threats in Belfast and London.
The British Foreign Office said they had full faith in the Irish security forces and were adamant the trip would go ahead and adhere to its full itinerary.
After lunch, the Queen will travel up O’Connell Street to Trinity College for a private viewing of the Book of Kells.
Later this week, she will be guest of honor at a state dinner in Dublin Castle before travelling to Kildare, Tipperary and Cork before departing for London on Friday.
PHOTOS - The Queen's historic visit to Ireland photo gallery
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READ MORE:
Gerry Adams welcomes Queen Elizabeth after all
Queen’s visit touches many sensitive nerves – VIDEO
Bomb warnings across Ireland as Queen arrives
Queen Elizabeth regrets she will not visit her Irish ancestor’s graves during visit
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.oldboreen | May 26, 2011, 09:10 AM EDT
Reading some of the comments regarding the Queen's State visithere makes me wonder whether we really are 'the nation of saints and poets'! So much ignorance! You know who you are!You should be ashamed of yourselves.If you love Ireland as much as you would have us believe, you would know that true patriotism is not best demonstrated by cheap, vulgar and and silly expressions of contempt for the neighbouring country and its head of State! I know my people, you're in a minority!
seanomelbourne | May 19, 2011, 09:30 PM EDT
The bleeding heart brigade are out in force.
kateomprint | May 19, 2011, 12:26 PM EDT
gaillimh don't be so bitter and twisted she's not staying forever its just a quick trip across the water to see how the peasants in Ireland are doing without them. I think we are managing ok if people like you could forget all the bitterness that has gone before and honour the past and its heroes the way they should be without bloodshed and violence
seanomelbourne | May 18, 2011, 11:28 PM EDT
john123 are you a plastic Irish moron or plastic Irish/American moron?
DaithiSuibhne | May 18, 2011, 10:58 AM EDT
@John123-Very keen eye lad. How precious is that, were getting the 'Royal Snot Treatment',there's nothing like leaving a little DNA to mingle with the soil of,the '1st. Colony' to put you own stamp on it. 'WELL DONE' your Majesty; Your Humble Servant, Ireland!
Skibberrean | May 18, 2011, 10:35 AM EDT
Myself and family being Irish-American, with ancestors in the Aran Islands, Cork and Skibberrean, believe she should have stayed home and saved the money. Kateomprint, sorry but you are a bullble head! Gaillimh, you are so correct in your comments. No one should ever forget what has been done. I have heard the stdories all of my life. may God Bless and protect Ireland and The United STates of America.
mnallick | May 18, 2011, 01:54 AM EDT
I think it is a good sign of willingness to move on. This is a new century and the children and grandchildren deserve a fresh start in a world where the past doesn't have to shadow their lives.
john123 | May 17, 2011, 10:39 PM EDT
I was delighted to see the Queen here today especially the garden of rememberance cermony, then when I watched the complete coverage tonight I was horrified by what appears to be the Queen blowing her nose with one finger the second she set foot on Irish soil, I really hope this is a coincidence but really bad timing, checked already on the net and someone noticed on youtube, are we been taken as fools? Hope it's addressed in the paper tomorrow.
seanomelbourne | May 17, 2011, 10:27 PM EDT
I hope the little girl presenting the flowers had a bullet proof vest.
Searlit | May 17, 2011, 10:07 PM EDT
@ Jamcelt, Bog hoppers? That sounds like a term of endearment. Love it, very funny!
barneyjo | May 17, 2011, 09:13 PM EDT
A little of Ireland's pride and sense of place in the world was restored today (It was needed) From the President to the members of the defence forces to the little girl who presented flowers to the Queen, all made me very proud to be Irish. It just goes to show what you can do when you choose NOT to be a prisoner of history!! I hope Daithi and Gaillmh enjoy the Tv coverage over the next three days!!
Irishphotograph | May 17, 2011, 08:51 PM EDT
imagesbydavid on Youtube to see images from Dublin today
DaithiSuibhne | May 17, 2011, 08:48 PM EDT
@ Sparklet-Oh you have such a soft heart, I'm supposing you have a soft head to match. Here is some gentle food for thought. Perhaps if you had a family member gunned down,say on 'Bloody Sunday' either 1920 or 1972 you yourself might feel differently at extending an invite to the figurehead of such a callous and brutal regime.
JBRAFTREE | May 17, 2011, 08:21 PM EDT
I missed her visit by three days. I'm now back home in Chgo, leaving a hugely guarded Dublin, and rightfully so. I hope her visit brings a bit more prosperity and hope to beautiful Ireland. I'm hoping our President's visit does the same. I did my level best to make Guinness's stock go up. And sport shirt sales too.
seanomelbourne | May 17, 2011, 06:55 PM EDT
It was lovely to see thousand of Irish lining the streets and cheering.The welcoming you have when your not welcome,like a tonic with no gin.
Sparklet | May 17, 2011, 06:08 PM EDT
Isnt it amazing how for years we've fought against English oppression and for civil rights etc, and yet some of those people now want to act against the wishes of the majority...to inflict their minority views on the rest of the country. Hypocrisy?
Sparklet | May 17, 2011, 04:25 PM EDT
gaillimh, Imperialism and colonialism are words from the past. Whilst remnants of an empire remain, countries have become independent. There's no such thing as the British Empire now. Attitudes have changed. Apparently, six million people in England have an Irish grandparent. Inter-marriage is widespread. Irish live in Britain, Brits live in Ireland. And by means of referendum, Northern Ireland will eventually be returned, I firmly believe that. What's the point in holding grudges? The Queen of England has been nothing more than a figurehead, like all monarchs since the time of Cromwell. And maybe she holds the same views as her relative, Louis Mountbatten, who loved Ireland and believed in reunification.
citizen69 | May 17, 2011, 04:22 PM EDT
I think the Queen looked genuinely happy to be there and the republic has done a fine job of the organizing so far.
jacersagain | May 17, 2011, 04:16 PM EDT
Well, I’ve just been watching the 9 o’clock Irish TV news and watched the British Queen place a wreath in honour of those who died for Freedom from her family’s reign over Ireland at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin’s City centre. I was astonished to see her firmly bowing her head to their memory after she placed the wreath. I am no fan of British Royalty but in that instant, I looked anew up this woman. Fair dues and thanks to you Ma’am, you finally gave me reason to let go of my disrespect for you and your family. You shuda done that years ago. I hope her Majesty enjoys the rest of her State Visit.
gaillimh | May 17, 2011, 04:08 PM EDT
You apologists on this site make me sick; you forget what she stands for-imperialism, colonialism and brutality. She's the one that should be on her knees asking for forgiveness for all the terrible deeds done by her country against Ireland down the centuries, not least being the Gorta Mor or great famine to those not versed in the beautiful language of EIRE ; and to kateomprint : would you grow up; wearing green reminds me of the one day a year ''Irish'' otherwise known as Irish americans, who wear green on St Patrick's day and think they are the real thing; the queen should go jump in the Liffey for all I care.
canadianirish | May 17, 2011, 02:25 PM EDT
Earlier, I watched the 1 hour 30 minute coverage of the Queen's visit to Dublin on rte.ie Excellent coverage! A very touching moment at the Garden of Remembrance when she bowed her head and nodded. I'm not sure how well she'd be received in Northern Ireland (and that's understandable) but it would seem that the majority of citizens in the Republic have chosen to move forward. I so look forward to visiting Ireland again and will continue to watch rte's top rate coverage of her visit over the next 3 days.
Sparklet | May 17, 2011, 02:17 PM EDT
Lol - Antoman, Im becoming two Twitterised and trying to restrict my characters.
kateomprint | May 17, 2011, 01:39 PM EDT
Love the green outfit she is wearing. I think she is doing her best to make this visit as memorable as possible for everybody and I wish her the best. If Prince Philip makes any rude remarks the irish will take them in their stride.
seagreen | May 17, 2011, 12:52 PM EDT
With all of the complexities, emotion, and ramifications of the Queen of Englands visit, I do think that Ireland will benefit in a big way if all goes well. The world is watching Ireland, people of every background, belief and stature. The importance of this visit projects far from Irelands shores. A difficult reminder of Irelands history, and a significent visit by Britain's Royal family to acknowledge the past. Not an easy gesture, but I feel good about the visit. Costly ? yes, but the payback of lessened tension will bring people and money to Ireland
antoman | May 17, 2011, 11:46 AM EDT
@Sparklet-If by QE2 you mean the ship,we welcome many cruise ships.No one calls the Queen the QE2 Sparklet.
Sparklet | May 17, 2011, 11:38 AM EDT
I've always thought of the Queen has a typical, stiff upper lip, emotionless example of royalty, so her smiles have actually seemed very genuine. I hope this will encourage people to visit Ireland, because if it can welcome QE2, it shows what a great nation it is.
antoman | May 17, 2011, 10:42 AM EDT
I watched Her Majesty lay a wreath in the Garden of Remembrance.In memory of those in 1916 who fought against her.She then stepped back and lowered her head.Very significant.I then found myself thinking at 85 years of age and her husband 91 that it was a long time for them to be standing.Hugely significant occasion.
DANNYD1 | May 17, 2011, 10:22 AM EDT
I THINK IT IS GREAT---HIP-HIP FOR THE IRISH.
antoman | May 17, 2011, 10:06 AM EDT
Our Aircorp flew above in salute.Its a testament to American engineering that those P51's are still in service.
antoman | May 17, 2011, 10:00 AM EDT
@Jamcelt-I too am aware of how uncouth her husband can be with his remarks.Hopefully 'Irish wit' will rise to the occasion.
deburca | May 17, 2011, 09:59 AM EDT
Watching the Irish welcome given the Queen today is very moving. I was surprised at my reaction and challenge anyone to watch it and not be moved by emotion.
bonjouryall | May 17, 2011, 09:50 AM EDT
what exactly is the point of her visit? Collect an installment paymento on the debt?
mylesie | May 17, 2011, 09:47 AM EDT
Aw c'mon BillyFitz, fair dues - "The Regal has landed" and to a "bacon and cabbage" even!!!
deburca | May 17, 2011, 09:45 AM EDT
I just watched a short video on the Irish Times website of the Queen being saluted and it just made me think that she has to have some balls to stand there in a country carrying all the baggage of her ancestors and the British government. Not just thinking of the 700 years of occupation and even misdeeds of very recent years but what about the Great Starvation? She seems to be a sensitive enough person to be very aware of these things and cannot feel comfortable. It's almost as though she's doing the walk of shame for her ancestor's misdeeds.
Jamcelt | May 17, 2011, 09:41 AM EDT
That husband of her's is more than likely to undermine the efforts of all parties by opening his bigoted, racist trap within range of a microphone, as he has a tendency to do. Let him knock all attempts at diplomacy on the head. Can't wait to hear what kind of "leprechaun, bog hopper" remark he will concoct.
deburca | May 17, 2011, 09:36 AM EDT
I think perhaps a bacon and cabbage lunch was payback enough.
deburca | May 17, 2011, 09:34 AM EDT
Queen Victoria got a nice bawdy song in honor of her visit, will Queen Elizabeth II get the same honor?
antoman | May 17, 2011, 09:30 AM EDT
All told the cost of the security is 34 million I believe.Given we owe billions to the IMF I equate the 34 million to the loose change in my pocket as opposed to the paper stuff in my wallet.I have seen old black and white photographs of Cork taken long ago when the last Royal visited my city.All bunting and flags.I thought "I know that street well and have walked it countless times.It was Patrick's Street.Aside from the horses and antiquated clothing little had changed.Looking at the photo's I thought of the people who lived here back then.So now when I see footage of the Queens visit I fully realise I am watching history in the making.Perhaps many years from now someone will watch the footage as I did the old black and white photographs.I hope Her Majesty has a nice stay in Ireland and enjoys the craic.
BillyFitz | May 17, 2011, 08:39 AM EDT
History a side .. what is the financial significance of this ? .. other then millions in wasted tax money , security etc .. from the British side , between this and the so-called "Royal wedding" .. must be nice to live in a country that has $$ to burn ..