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Queen offers sympathy but no apology in State dinner speech

The only public address the Queen will make during her four-day visit

CATHAL DERVAN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 4:56 PM

Updated Thursday, May 19, 2011, 10:08 AM

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The Queen speaking at Dublin Castle

Photo by RTE

FULL TEXT - read the Queen's speech in its entirety

PHOTOS - Queen's historic visit photo gallery

The Queen of England spoke in Irish at Dublin Castle as she offered sincere sympathy but no apology to the victims of centuries of unrest and violence in Ireland.

The Queen opened her speech at a state dinner in her honor with five words in Irish: “A Uachtaráin agus a chairde.”

The phrase means ‘President and Friends’ and opened an 850 word address to a room packed with politicians, dignitaries and special guests from both sides of the border who gave the Queen a standing ovation afterwards.

In the only public speech she will make during her four day visit to Ireland - the first by an English monarch in a hundred years - Elizabeth II remarked on the gestures of goodwill and renewed friendship prevalent during her visit.

She spoke of the complexity of the relationship with Ireland and England over the centuries and the progress already made during her trip.

“Madam President, speaking here in Dublin Castle it is impossible to ignore the weight of history, as it was yesterday when you and I laid wreaths at the Garden of Remembrance,” she said.

“Indeed, so much of this visit reminds us of the complexity of our history, its many layers and traditions, but also the importance of forbearance and conciliation - of being able to bow to the past, but not be bound by it.”

Addressing the painful elements of Anglo-Irish history, she offered her own condolences, sympathy and support to victims from all sides of the political and religious divide and urged both nations to look to the future together.

“Of course, the relationship has not always been straightforward; nor has the record over the centuries been entirely benign,” added Queen Elizabeth.

“It is a sad and regrettable reality that through history our islands have experienced more than their fair share of heartache, turbulence and loss.

“These events have touched us all, many of us personally, and are a painful legacy. We can never forget those who have died or been injured, and their families.

“To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy.

“With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all.

“But it is also true that no-one who looked to the future over the past centuries could have imagined the strength of the bonds that are now in place between the governments and the people of our two nations, the spirit of partnership that we now enjoy, and the lasting rapport between us.

“No-one here this evening could doubt that heartfelt desire of our two nations.”

Irish President Mary McAleese, who hosted the State dinner in the Queen’s honor, was praised for her part in the peace progress as were all those who contributed to the Good Friday agreement.

The Queen continued: “I applaud the work of all those involved in the peace process, and of all those who support and nurture peace, including members of the police, the Gardaí, and the other emergency services, and those who work in the communities, the churches and charitable bodies like Co-operation Ireland.

“Taken together, their work not only serves as a basis for reconciliation between our people and communities, but it gives hope to other peacemakers across the world that through sustained effort, peace can and will prevail.

“For the world moves on quickly. The challenges of the past have been replaced by new economic challenges which will demand the same imagination and courage.

“The lessons from the peace process are clear; whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load.”

The visiting monarch concluded by stressing the close relationship between Ireland and those of Irish extraction living in Britain and urged peace and harmony between the two nations.

“We have much to do together to build a future for all our grandchildren: the kind of future our grandparents could only dream of,” she said.

“So we celebrate together the widespread spirit of goodwill and deep mutual understanding that has served to make the relationship more harmonious, close as good neighbors should always be.”

Speaking before the Queen, Irish President McAleese said the Royal visit was the ‘culmination’ of the success of the Peace Process.

“This is an acknowledgement that whilst the past cannot be changed, there has been a decision made to change the future,” said President McAleese.

FULL TEXT - read the Queen's speech in its entirety

PHOTOS - Queen's historic visit photo gallery

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Bythebay | Jun 15, 2012, 04:33 PM EDT

The Queen did NOT offer sympathy or apology. She has no reason to offer either. She said decisions were made on both sides that in hindsight could have been different. Give it up, you'll get no apology when none should be made.

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cillowen | May 23, 2011, 06:24 PM EDT

why should she - the morons love her just the same.

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seanomelbourne | May 22, 2011, 07:43 PM EDT

Under the king of Ulster who paid homage to the high king of Ireland.Therefore Dalriada was part of Ireland not the other way round.

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Aughavey | May 22, 2011, 06:55 PM EDT

a federal isles is more likely but the North of Ireland was once part of the Kingdom of Dalriada which encompasses the North of Ireland and South West Scotland - after all at it`s narrowist the channel is only 12 miles, much much closer than the South of Ireland and Dublin

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seanomelbourne | May 20, 2011, 08:45 PM EDT

Fallsrnat you mean that part of "Ulster" called the six counties.The six counties as part of Scotland will never happen.

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FallsRNat | May 20, 2011, 05:32 PM EDT

sirpeter - how little you understand of Ulster prods & its relationship with the scots, england has nothing to do with resolving the political situation in ireland, however, like most people they are not about to reward terrorists with their armed campaign to subjugate a democratic state that is part of the UK. Peter Robinson has welcomed the re-election of the SNP in scotland as they both share a mutually common bond in their willingness to pursue an independent scotland, which would be a precusor for ulster to seek independence from england/wales & join with their scottish brethren. The losers in all of this would be the irish catholics who would be subject to your own definition of those ulsterman who don't want to live in a UI that they can leave, this is exactly what the scots have in mind for all of the them.

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FallsRNat | May 20, 2011, 05:25 PM EDT

seanomelbourne - there was a chance for the irish people of the 26 counties to show their willingness to put 1st their wish for a United Ireland above any other consideration by voting down the Good Friday agreement. Of course, the IRA would have welcomed this as a sign that the IR would condone any slaughter of the innocents if it delivered their cherished goal of a UI. However, the people delivered exactly the opposite by voting for the GFA & the preserve of Ulster in the UK at the expense of the armed campaign. So therefore while it maybe true that most irish people covet a UI, they were unwilling to usurp the democratic wishes of the people of Ulster to decide whether they want to join a UI or not.

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ancavker | May 20, 2011, 10:43 AM EDT

Sean: I would love a united Ireland, and hope it come about. But the Irish in Ireland really do not care. And I can say this being closely associated with the country. As far as polling on unity, I do not remember the last time such a poll was held in the 26 counties. And let us be honest if they did want a UI, they would have done far more over the years than they did.

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Towngate | May 20, 2011, 07:48 AM EDT

A United Ireland ~ by ANY means? Well,perhaps whoever broke it,should fix it and put it back the way it was! ~ or does 'any means' not include returning the twenty-six counties to the other six?! ... ... Remember 'Perfidious Albion', who has centuries of experience in these matters; knows the way to get something; is to walk away from it! ~ ~ "Softlee,softlee,catchee Paddee ...." ~ Now you know!

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JimMcGarity | May 19, 2011, 11:27 PM EDT

Then why did she come?

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sirpeter | May 19, 2011, 07:19 PM EDT

ancavker. The Catholic church was on the side of the Brits.Most who fought for independence were excommunicated from the Catholic Church at one time or another.As General Tom Barry has often joked that he was excommunicated five times by the Bishop. I'm not sure would it have made much difference if Collins had lived,but it certainly wouldn't have been worse when it came to the power of the Catholic Church.But then again maybe Collins would not have done what Dev did. We'll never know that one.

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seanomelbourne | May 19, 2011, 07:15 PM EDT

Ancavker I have listened to people like you pushing a lie about Irish unity for many years,yet all polls taken over the last 40 yrs.are consistent the majority of irish people prefer unity,the Irish disagree on how to attain unity. The polls vary from 63% to 70% in favour. It's how the question is framed that is important.

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LinLinisme | May 19, 2011, 06:59 PM EDT

She is the best. Her speech was fantastic! I don't believe anyone should applpgize for things that has happened so long ago. This apology stuff is stupid, even more stupid was the apologizes that were said in the U.S.

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Aughavey | May 19, 2011, 04:27 PM EDT

Think some seem to forget Scotland has a Crown that was united with the English one

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Aughavey | May 19, 2011, 04:25 PM EDT

mamaginnty sorry but I was in Scotland all through highschool and Uni.

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