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Gerry Adams welcomes Queen Elizabeth after all

Warm words for British monarch from Sinn Fein leader

CATHAL DERVAN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Monday, May 16, 2011, 7:48 AM

Updated Monday, May 16, 2011, 9:46 AM

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Gerry Adams and the Queen

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has softened his stance on the British Queen’s visit to Ireland and has admitted it will strengthen ties between the two countries.

The most powerful Republican on the island of Ireland has all but welcomed the visit in a statement issued ahead of Queen Elizabeth’s arrival on Tuesday.

The recently elected Louth member of the Irish parliament also called on the British government to show its support for an improvement in relations between Ireland and Britain.

“If this is the case, it will be a matter of considerable pleasure, not just for her Majesty, but for the rest of us as well,” said Adams who had been critical of the visit during the recent election campaign.

No Sinn Fein representative will attend any of the various official functions surrounding the visit but Adams has taken a far more conciliatory approach.

He added: “I want to see a real and meaningfully new and better relationship between the peoples of Ireland and Britain.

“Republicans have been to the forefront in working to bring this about and we will continue to do so.
“The visit by the Queen of England provides a unique opportunity for the British establishment to make it clear that this is its intention also.

“I am for a new relationship between the people of Ireland and between the people of Ireland and Britain based on equality and mutual respect.

“I hope this visit will hasten that day but much will depend on what the British monarch says. As an Irish citizen who was detained without charge or trial a number of times on a British prison ship, in a prison camp and H Block, as well as a more conventional prison, at ‘Her Majesty’s Pleasure’, I hope so.”

No reply was forthcoming from the British or Irish governments after Adams spoke warmly of the historical ties between the two nations.

He continues: “Ireland and England are not strangers to each other. We have build on what we have in common while at the same time respecting each other’s sovereignty and independence.

“We all need to embrace diversity, including the sense of Britishness felt by many unionists.”

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READ MORE:

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Queens visit will be a nightmare for maternity hospital

Shock as longtime Sinn Fein critics are not invited to meet with Queen

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39 Comments

15 - 39 | See all comments

abhainn | May 20, 2011, 04:27 PM EDT

The article says, "No Sinn Fein representative will attend any of the various official functions surrounding the visit" but the Sinn Féin mayor of Cashel shook the Queen's hand today. Also, Adams is quoted as claiming the Peace Process that made the Queen's visit possible, for himself, "Republicans have been to the forefront in working to bring about a new and better relationship between the peoples of Ireland and Britain" but Sinn Féin had to be dragged kicking and screaming from their murder weapons to the negotiating table.

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Irishphotograph | May 18, 2011, 11:58 AM EDT

For videos/images of the Queens visit...search imagesbydavid on Youtube

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citizen69 | May 18, 2011, 11:47 AM EDT

Gerry Adams, "the most powerful republican in Ireland"?..Really? The leader of the fourth largest party in the Irish Republic wields all the power? Even more powerful than the Taoiseach? Hehee! What nonsense! I'm convinced Gerry edits this website himself!

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TiocfaidhArmani | May 18, 2011, 09:42 AM EDT

Gerry Adams changes his stance on a lot of things when it suits him. Like the acceptance of the Unionist veto for one.

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sharonnoella | May 18, 2011, 02:12 AM EDT

@ScullsSoulmate-Here's a positive spin on it for you, replacing William of Orange, with a more likeable baron!

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maryamcgrath | May 17, 2011, 08:29 PM EDT

I think it was Well Done by Mr. Adams. Although its hard to stomach having to be so politically correct. But I suppose taking the high road is always best. I love that he got his point about being held at Her Majestys request on record. That is a priceless statement.

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Johnnyclash | May 17, 2011, 05:01 PM EDT

Cathal you got the story wrong you ejit.

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ancavker | May 17, 2011, 11:36 AM EDT

Tom Swinford: I am no fan of the monarch, for what it represents, and has always represented, but I do not disagree with most of what you say. And my English/Irish cousins are far more proud of their Irish roots, than the crowd over in Ireland. I have a far better time with them then listening to the so called Irish ones droning on about this and that. I am the dumb yank, and my English/Irish cousins are the plastic paddies.

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ScullysSoulmate | May 17, 2011, 09:53 AM EDT

AAHHH Kilsally, so finally you reveal your true nature, although again quite subtlely, it is orange that you really are. Very sorry but I simply cannot stomach the self serving philosophy of the orange tradition. Not irish, and not english, yet loyal to the "crown" for your own selfish reasons is the way it appears to me, after many years of study and contemplation. I do feel sorry for you, for after all the uvf was originally formed for the convenience of a few wealthy ulstermen who cared nothing but to protect their own vast fortunes, and so many were tricked into joining up and pride seems to have prevented many who may now decide otherwise from making a change. But with so many dead for no reason other than out and out greed, I must repeat that my interpretation of the Bible says that I am obligated to "forgive my fellow man", and I cannot consider any who would take so many lives or justify the taking of them for nothing more than personal enrichment, my fellow men. So as the US marines said of bin Laden, "it is God's job to forgive him, it is our job to arrange the meeting" I do feel that republicans have fought fearlessly for many generations against overwhelming odds for the survival of their own race, traditions, and country, and for those reasons british and orange sympathies are completely beyond my ability to swallow silently. As it is also impossible for me to live my life without recognizing and thanking those many fearless generations who never gave up so my children can embrace their Gaelic roots. I didn't agree with your comments on the Ancient Order of Hibernians' request of Obama, and frankly he ought to, especially now that the brits have subpoenaed Boston College records, insist that they release the records the Hibernians suggested they should. But again, the brits attitude of entitlement and self grandizement such as "higher birth" rights will likely never allow that to occur.

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maireadinmelb | May 17, 2011, 06:09 AM EDT

I don't think you can call G Adams a REPUBLICAN anymore, let alone the "most powerful" republican!

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mcdolan | May 17, 2011, 02:23 AM EDT

We are far too long hat tipping to the shadow of our former colonisers...time to stand up as equals and greet her with the warmth, dignity and hospitality the Irish are known for, with our heads held high as equal sovereign nations.

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123erinmary | May 16, 2011, 11:18 PM EDT

You scared me with your headline! Thank goodness it was alarmist and way overreaching for what Mr. Adams actually said.

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Kilsally | May 16, 2011, 05:58 PM EDT

feliciamaisey & ScullysSoulmate what is your grief with the Dutch Prince William of Orange defeating the deposed King James of England in Ireland -you say he invaded Ireland but are you saying the King James of England was the rightful King in Ireland then? William of Orange ended arbitrary powers and tyranny, ceding powers from Monarchy to Parliament, bringing in the Bill of Rights and many others constitutional reforms that we now take for granted. William of Orange was part of the League of Augsburg supported by The Pope and was aligned against despotic King Loui of France and his vassal King James of England.

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eiriamach | May 16, 2011, 04:42 PM EDT

I've been rethinking this visit. It now seems to me a gracious kindness on the part of the Irish to welcome her, especially considering Ireland's current financial woes. Elizabeth is a post-imperial figurehead monarch who makes state visits to meet people whose ancestors were colonists of the crown. Wasn't her mother crowned "Queen of Great Britain, Ireland, and British Dominions and Empress of all India"? What's left of that? Elizabeth II and her successors will have to relate to a great diversity of people whose freedom was won from her predecessors. Adams is right: it's all about embracing diversity now, for the Queen as well as for him, a lesson in humility for royal and rebel.

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FallsRNat | May 16, 2011, 03:26 PM EDT

Ah, Gezza, do we continue to call u the Baron after all.

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