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Queen Elizabeth's first historic visit to Ireland confirmed

The first royal visit in 100 years will take place later this year

MOLLY MULDOON,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Friday, March 4, 2011, 2:14 PM

Updated Friday, March 4, 2011, 4:24 PM

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HRH Queen Elizabeth II

Photo by Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II has formally announced her first state visit to the Republic of Ireland later this year.

She will be the first British monarch to visit Ireland in a century.

The 84-year-old queen will be accompanied by her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, during the symbolic visit. No specific date has been given for the visit.

King George V was the last British monarch to visit Ireland, when he spent six days in Dublin in 1911, when Britain and Ireland were still united under a single crown.

Speaking about the Royal visit, Julian King, the British Ambassador said the invitation “symbolizes how far the relationship has come in recent years; the strength of our economic and political ties; and the progress that has been made in Northern Ireland.”

“The visit will provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate this, and build on the rich and varied links that exist across these islands,” he said Friday.

First Minister Peter Robinson also welcomed the announcement.

He said:"The news of a visit by Her Majesty to the Irish Republic will be welcomed by all right-thinking people throughout the United Kingdom and that country as a positive development.

"It is a sign of the normalization of relations between our two countries that such a visit by our Head of State will be taking place.

"I would urge Republicans to afford Her Majesty the same degree of respect shown by people in the United Kingdom to Mary McAleese".

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams described the visit as premature but claimed it was an indication of how time is changing.

"As Republicans Sinn Fein is very aware of the symbolism of a state visit by Queen Elizabeth of England and of the offence it will cause to many Irish citizens, particularly victims of British rule and those with legacy issues in this state and in the North," he said.

Prince Charles, the eldest son of the queen has visited Ireland on several occasions including a visit to Dublin in 1995 and another in 2002. While Prince Phillip made an official visit to Dublin in 1998 and 2006.

Ireland’s presidency confirmed the announcement and added that full details will be released later.

Nster.com

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18 Comments

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FallsRNat | Mar 12, 2011, 08:02 PM EST

maybe sirpeter, the pope & Baron von adams can daisy chain around ireland together. The pontiff certainly likes the good ol boys so he will fit in in Oiland

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STUMPTOWN | Mar 08, 2011, 06:53 PM EST

sirpeter 9:37 pm est......... GOOGLE in CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA, POPE ADRIAN 4TH. YOU WILL SEE THAT HE WAS MADE POPE 2 DECEMBER 1154 AT ROME. MAY THE SUNSHINE ON IRELAND AS YOU ENJOY THE QUEEN'S VISIT.

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sirpeter | Mar 06, 2011, 09:37 PM EST

STUMPTOWN..The treasonous Dermot MacMurrough who was exiled and then the English Pope Adrian IV not long after. That's two feckers..Your point being?...One was a traitor and the other an English Catholic Pope...Oh!! I guess If a country is betrayed by one of your own..We must deserve to be invaded.It wasn't the invasion it's what they did here was the problem.

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STUMPTOWN | Mar 06, 2011, 10:33 AM EST

You that do not want Englands Queen Liz to visit, would you be for the pope to visit? Then I ask you who was the first person that ask England to invade Ireland? The U.K. and Ireland as well are members of the E.U. as one body. Time waits for no one and changes all. Get real for short and let the pasted stay in the past.

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barneyjo | Mar 05, 2011, 08:34 PM EST

In 1977 I went with my family to an investiture at Buckingham Palace, as my late father had been awarded an Honour. This was most unusual (if not rare) for a northern catholic Nationalist at the time. After having sought advice from family and friends, my Dad decided to accept the invitation. On the day of the ceremony he had to wait in a separate room with the other recipients. At one stage he sought out a bathroom and was escorted by one of the palace Footmen. In the course of a conversation it emerged that the Footman was the most Senior Footman in the palace,and was due to retire after 40 years of service. He was also Irish, a Catholic, and from Tralee where he was due to return to after retirement. The Footman very kindly gave my dad a 10 minute tour of the royal apartments that were nearest to the Ballroom where the ceremony was to take place. Right up to his death, my Dad never forgot the kindness shown to him by a Kerry man in Buckingham palace on that day!!

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LinLinisme | Mar 05, 2011, 06:52 PM EST

God love the Queen.

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Murph46 | Mar 05, 2011, 10:10 AM EST

Was in S.E. Ireland some years ago when the QEII came by from Ringaskiddy They had 5 destroyers ,helicopters galore and someone said they even had a nuke sub to protect the ship from the big bad IRA,can't imagine the security for this trip!

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sirpeter | Mar 05, 2011, 09:07 AM EST

Smithers..."Release the Hounds"

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antoman | Mar 05, 2011, 08:34 AM EST

Don't know about you lot but that picture makes me feel uneasy.I think she's laughing at one of you lot here in IC,or all of us.

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DrTrelawney | Mar 05, 2011, 07:27 AM EST

And we're off. Let's see how long it takes to get 100 comments, each featuring anglophobic ranting and "hilarious" references to "Mrs Windsor" or "Elizabeth Saxe-Coburg". Irish-America is more obsessed with the Royal Family than the British are. Actually, given that I've just posted, I guess I am part of the problem rather than the solution. Sorry.

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sirpeter | Mar 05, 2011, 06:52 AM EST

Creakygate...ARE YOU GETTING excited? Are you wetting yourself in anticipation? Look at her!! Wrapped in the fur of some poor harmless animal,no doubt it's not fake either. Where are all the animal lovers now on IC? Not so long ago they were baying for blood because a few kids were kicking a dead dog. Look at the animal cruelty she is promoting!!Oh!! We British love animals. This is the kind of person Creakygate is condemning Sinn Fein for. Royalty!! They are deep down dysfunctional in every way, as we all know. Well known for their mental abuse of their own family and striking terror into poor defenseless animal's,and getting a sick enjoyment from bloodsports. Oh!!Yeah Great to see Lizzy the Hun visiting.

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jacersagain | Mar 04, 2011, 10:28 PM EST

Yes, agreed... Molly’s journalism is going to the depths of a St.Paterick’s Day’s evening speakeasy *hic* joint. I loved the way GeorgieD writes of “all over Ireland ... people practicing their scraping, scratching and curtseying”. Yes, right on Georgie - we’ve been studying those memorable moments from Mr. Bean’s preparations for the lady’s visit ... practising really hard... see how to do it on treble w etc you tube(dot)com/watch?v=a7auvfjC8-0) – allow for edits. Hilarious, if u haven’t seen it B$, or want to see it again.

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barneyjo | Mar 04, 2011, 08:23 PM EST

I am really at a loss to understand the level of fixation that some posters on IC have with both "Queens" and "Gays" I'd love to know how they "DISCRIMINATE" between the two"

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Towngate | Mar 04, 2011, 07:54 PM EST

MOLLY@ I don't for a moment think you intended to be disrespectful in your piece, but you make it seem as if the Queen had decided to visit - rather than stating she had graciously accepted the Invitation of the Irish President to make a State Visit. ~ Of course, there will be those who will have mixed emotions about it; but maybe it's time for us to display a little grace, humility and open-minded courage in return. ........To mo chara Gerry, I say: A Great State requires Great Statesmen; and say that as a TD he Represents the Irish Electorate - particularly the ones who did not vote for him in Louth and everyone else in the country who do not share his Personal Opinion on this matter. Time to get into 'the long trousers' now, and show us if you are big enough for the important road ahead!

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warrenpoint00 | Mar 04, 2011, 07:12 PM EST

Molly writes"when BritaIn and Ireland were still united under one crown".This is really,really careless journalism.Why, I do believe Mary needs a little introduction to the Irish history before she makes a fool of herself in her attempt at professional journalism..Sorry Mary, do not give up your real job.

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