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

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!

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

Got that pint here in Cork waiting on ya georgyboy.

Oh Gerry, Gerry what has happened to you?

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

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

A historic day for Ireland.Another page in the story of Ireland and the beginning of a new chapter.