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Queen lays wreath in honor of leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising - PHOTOS

Elizabeth II pays tribute to the Irish leaders at the Garden of Remembrance

CATHAL DERVAN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 10:48 AM

Updated Tuesday, May 17, 2011, 2:11 PM

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12 Comments

PHOTOS - The Queen's historic visit to Ireland photo gallery

The Queen of England has laid a wreath in honor of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising at Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance.

Just hours after she landed at Casement Aerodrome, the British monarch visited the monument to those who led Ireland’s rebellion against English rule.

The hugely significant gesture came against a backdrop of unprecedented security measures in the Irish capital.

The British and Irish national anthems were played by the Army Band and a minute’s silence was observed in memory of those who fought and died for Irish freedom.

Accompanied by her husband Prince Phillip and Irish President Mary McAleese, the Queen was dignified and respectful through the 20 minutes she spent at the Garden, built in 1966 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Rising.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter and former Irish Prime Ministers Bertie Ahern and Albert Reynolds were present in the Garden of Remembrance.

The Queen left the Garden of Remembrance to visit Trinity College where she will receive a private tour of the Long Hall and view the Book of Kells.

Earlier today she had lunch at the President Mary McAleese’s residence in the Phoenix Park and planted an oak tree in the grounds of Aras an Uachtarain to commemorate the peace process.

The wreath laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance took place despite a number of protests in the area staged by dissident Republican sympathisers with some chants audible to the Royal party.

The Eirigi group attracted just a hundred protestors to their march on Parnell Street after a sit-down protest on the main O’Connell Street thoroughfare.

Irish police made two arrests during minor scuffles on O’Connell Street before the Eirigi protestors moved to lay a wreath on the Moore Street site where the 1916 leaders made their last stand.

The socialist Republican group released a number of black balloons to symbolise their opposition to the visit.

PHOTOS - The Queen's historic visit to Ireland photo gallery

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Towngate | May 18, 2011, 02:24 AM EDT

The first day of the Royal Visit was a great success. Moving and breath-taking by turns; full of pleasing irony and symbolism.Cathal's headline is misleading as the Garden is in rememberance of all who fought for Irish freedon ~ not just those involved in 1916. The saddest irony which shocked me, was that the Dublin streets which once ran with blood in order to free them for the Irish people were barricaded to prevent the freed Irish from freely using them! Her Majesty's humble and heartfelt Bow after laying the wreath is a perfect example of her sense of responsibility and Duty which has sustained her Country and people throughout her wonderful Reign, and a clear indication of her true Majesty. A solemn occasion which had its lighter moments: for me it was the second wreath-bearer,who,after handing it to Mary McAleese, seemed to 'lose the run of himself' with his strange stamping about. His Drill Sergeant will be having a few words with him,I imagine. And @jacersagain. Me life on yeh! Yer blud's wurt bottlin! Slainte!

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Rebelforce | May 17, 2011, 07:37 PM EDT

Undoubtedly a very poignant and historic moment in Irish-British relations to see the queen of England---who is used to having others bowing before her---bowing HER head in respect and honor to the brave men and women of the IRA who fought to end British rule in Ireland. Not surprisingly, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip handled it with dignity and graciousness.

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jacersagain | May 17, 2011, 02:19 PM EDT

Well, I’ve just been watching the 6 o’clock Irish TV news and watched the British Queen place a wreath in honour of those who died for Freedom from her family’s reign at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin’s City centre. I was astonished to see her firmly bowing her head to their memory after she placed the wreath. I am no fan of British Royalty but in that instant, I looked anew up this woman. Fair dues and thanks to you Ma’am, you finally gave me reason to let go of my disrespect for you and your family. You shuda done that years ago. I can now say "Welcome, Majesty - May you have a great State Visit."

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gobdawpaddy | May 17, 2011, 01:24 PM EDT

Agree with other posters regarding the historic nature of this visit. It has so far passed off very well except for a few dozen yobos who caused some problems a short distance from O'Connell Street. NYPD wouldn't have been as gentle with them but kudos to the gardai for the swift action they took at the first sign of trouble.

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Kinlough | May 17, 2011, 01:16 PM EDT

A visit that is long overdue. I think the vast majorty of the people of the Irish Republic support, or do not strongly object to this visit. I'm certain the people of the United Kingdom welcome this visit. There will be some people on the fringes of the religious and political divide, who will find it objectionable. They are entitled to their views, but they are in a small minority. Incidentally Queen Elizabeth is not just the Queen of England, she's the Queen of Australia, Scotland, Wales, Canada, New Zealand, Barbados, Jamaica etc etc Okay, okay ! England is the significant one in terms of this visit.

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Kinlough | May 17, 2011, 01:00 PM EDT

I echo antoman's and citizens69's sentiments. This is an historic occasion and one that bodes well for the future of these two island neighbors where there is already a broad recognition that far more unites us than devides us. Not everyone agrees, of course, but in the fullness of time the ancient hatreds, blind and unreasoning though they are, will be laid to rest, ultimately as the haters themselves are laid to rest.

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kateomprint | May 17, 2011, 12:55 PM EDT

Feck off George what's not to like about the Irish, we're funny we drink a good drop and know how to have fun and we don't bother our neighbors. I don't particularly like what the Queen stands for. A lot of British up their own arses who bow and scrape. I think the British are a very insecure lot.

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antoman | May 17, 2011, 12:38 PM EDT

Got that pint here in Cork waiting on ya georgyboy.

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cupertino | May 17, 2011, 12:32 PM EDT

Oh Gerry, Gerry what has happened to you?

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GeorgeDillon | May 17, 2011, 12:20 PM EDT

I actually rather like the Queen of England. It's the Irish I can't stand.

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citizen69 | May 17, 2011, 12:05 PM EDT

A historical day indeed between two countries who in fact have a very good relationship with each other.