Gerry Adams welcomes Queen Elizabeth after all

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.

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

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!

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

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

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.

Cathal you got the story wrong you ejit.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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