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Queen Elizabeth may be set to visit Killarney

Not since 1861 has a British monarch visited the area

Published Friday, July 23, 2010, 5:53 AM

Updated Friday, July 23, 2010, 6:00 AM

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Planned visit to Ireland by the Queen may visit Killarney

Rumors that British monarch Queen Elizabeth is planning a visit to the County Kerry tourist town of Killarney have been heightened by a planned visit to the same town by the British Ambassador to Ireland next week.

Ambassador Julian King is planning a visit to Kerry next week. Although ostensibly the purpose of the visit is to see 3 Irish Open Golf Championship, Julian King will also visit Muckross House on the invitation of the house trustees.

King’s decision to also visit the media during his stay in the region has fuelled speculation that his visit is a diplomatic precursor to a visit to the town by the Queen, to take place next year.

The historic visit, which will mark a significant all time high in Anglo-Irish relations, was brought about largely by the publication of a British government report into the Bloody Sunday Massacre which unlike its maligned predecessor, laid the blame for the deaths squarely at the door of the British troops.

Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin has already endorsed a promised welcome from Killarney’s booming tourism industry to the Queen if or when she arrives.

Queen Victoria visited the area during a four day trip in 1861, spending two nights as guest of the landlord Herbert family in Muckross House and two nights in Killarney House with Lord Kenmare as host.

“The ambassador has had long-standing invitation to come to the house and this happens to coincide with his visit to the golf championship," Muckross House’s Chief Executive told The Irish Examiner newspaper.

"I don’t think people should make too much more of it than that.

"But, at the same time, we’re keeping our fingers crossed and you never know what will happen.

"We’ll be saying to the ambassador that it would be great if the queen came to Killarney and would appreciate if he put in good word for us.

"We’ll certainly be showcasing the best Killarney has to offer," he said.

The Queen is due to visit Ireland in August 2011.

Nster.com

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jacersisityourself | Jul 27, 2010, 03:28 PM EDT

I didn’t expect a response but I should say that I am not anti-English or against the Queen of England visiting. She’s indeed welcome as a visitor but I won’t be going out of my way to see her. I am against the very notion of royalty anywhere, in any country. Why should these hereditary people enjoy a life of unbridled luxury at the expense of their tax-paying people? Most reigns were established back in time by battle victories of one faction or family over another, declaring themselves king or queen, holding all subject to their rule by terror. Taxes imposed upon the common people, collected under duress, financed the lifestyle of the monarch. Nepotism for family members was/is rampant. Rules were laid down for descendants (1st born son future kind etc) and marriage – in England, a catholic can’t become king or queen. Queen Elizabeth’s husband had to give up his Greek Orthodox religion and become an Anglican before he could marry Elizabeth. In today’s world, there is no place for royal families. No, I won’t be going out to welcome Mrs. Elizabeth Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg, for that, I believe, should be her common married name under her husband’s Greek/Danish family house.

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YoungPike | Jul 27, 2010, 09:27 AM EDT

Thankyou Tom Swinford for talking sense. Those of us of Irish heritage who were born and raised in England are loyal to Britain first and foremost. England is Ireland's closest neighbour and should also be her closest friend!

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GeorgeDillon | Jul 26, 2010, 11:09 AM EDT

TomSwinford: Why do you think we care what your family in England thinks? What a bore you are.

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GeorgeDillon | Jul 24, 2010, 09:21 PM EDT

A recent poll in Ireland indicates that a considerable majority of the Irish will welcome the queen. This is good as it suggests that, despite a long and tortured history, we are finally growing up and becoming adults. The queen is the Head of State of our closest neighbor and most important trading partner. Not to welcome her, as Britain would welcome the republic's Head of State, would show us to be immature and unable to move on. I have brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and many cousins in England. They are loyal to the country of their birth - and in the case of my siblings, the country in which they have made good lives for themselves. This is as it should be. I have no doubt that if they were to see the many hateful anti-England posts on this website they would ask in amazement, "what planet are these dopes living on." My family in England see no conflict in their love and pride in both countries.

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jacersisityourself | Jul 24, 2010, 08:04 PM EDT

The areas around Killarney is without doubt one of Ireland’s beautiful jwels. I have always brought my visiting US & UK friends to Muckross House. It’s in a beautiful location by the Lakes of Killarney and when you go inside the house you see a perfectly preserved picture of how life was without the internet, TV or radio. The touristy bit is also very interesting – the amount of land around Muckross House is immense and there are people employed there working the land exactly as it was back when Victoria visited. I’m sure Elizabeth will enjoy a visit there, see the horsehair bed her forebear slept in. She’ll probably tamp it a bit, then sit on it as I did, just to feel it and imagine what it’s like for queen. When I tamped and sat on it, I found incredible human strength reserves to fart into it; with apologies to all visitors to Victoria’s bed since and future, yrs sincerely, jacers.

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GeorgeDavis | Jul 24, 2010, 03:25 PM EDT

Sparklet: "I hope nobody fawns over her". Of course they will. Fawning is what the Irish do best--maybe the only thing they do well. Their ancestors fawned over her ancestor right in the midst of the Famine. They haven't changed.

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YoungPike | Jul 24, 2010, 10:09 AM EDT

Although I'm not a great fan of the royal family I think the Queen has served her people well and I hope that the Irish welcome Old Monkeyface with open arms and treat her to a jolly good show.

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JOHNTOBIN | Jul 24, 2010, 07:20 AM EDT

So many comments of people who live in the past.Were all of the Irish people who migrated to the United Kingdom in past years traitors to the Republican cause?I personally have considerable Irish ancestory and have very much sympathy to the Irish republican cause.But this is the year 2010.It would be interesting to know just what percentage of people who have made negative responses to this item actually are residents of the Republic Of Ireland.

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mandokeith | Jul 23, 2010, 02:24 PM EDT

Luckily I'll not be going that way anytime soon..............

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Seamus59 | Jul 23, 2010, 01:26 PM EDT

Inviting the British monarch to visit the 26 counties while our country is still partitioned by the state that she represents is an insult to all the brave people who fought and died for Irish freedom. These people who would instigate such a visit are traitors to the cause of Irish Republicanism. I sincerely hope the visit does not come about and if it does that it is met with mass protests.

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MalcomAC | Jul 23, 2010, 01:13 PM EDT

We're at a point where someone - anyone - needs to step up and be bigger than the moment and it might as well be Liz Windsor as most elected officials don't want to touch this one with a ten foot pole.

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Sparklet | Jul 23, 2010, 11:07 AM EDT

I hope nobody fawns over her. But I hope they show courtesy and respect because anything else will be demeaning to the Irish nation.

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MalcomAC | Jul 23, 2010, 11:06 AM EDT

Good for Liz to visit the neighbors. Give her credit for doing it, but you don't have to bow and curtsy to her. This is especially good after the recent flare up.

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killowen | Jul 23, 2010, 11:00 AM EDT

such fawning over her will be greather than done on victoria visit in the height of their extermination bid.

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Sparklet | Jul 23, 2010, 10:57 AM EDT

Is she going to rent a cottage?

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