We had a special visitor this week…….

This week history was made between Ireland and England.  HM Queen Elizabeth II visited these shores, the first time an English monarch has visited Ireland in 100 years.

It was a great week for Anglo-Irish relations, when we can begin to look to the future instead of the past.  This was the week that Ireland and England grew up. 

The Queens plane landed in Baldonnel Airport in Lucan just before midday and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip stepped onto Irish soil for the first time.

They went directly to Áras an Uachtaráin where they were met by the Irish President Mary McAleese and her husband Dr Martin McAleese.

The Queen inspects the Guard of Honour at Áras an Uachtaráin

Her visit included visiting many symbolic landmarks such as the Garden of Remembrance, The War Memorial and Croke Park, the home of GAA and the site where 14 people were shot dead by British forces in 1920.

Her first port of call was to visit The Garden of Remembrance in Dublin, a memorial garden dedicated to the Irish patriots who died fighting for Irish Independence.

As the Queen laid a wreath and bowed her head in acknowledgement of those who died, she drew a line under centuries of bloodshed and troubles between our two countries. It was a gesture of reconciliation, a symbol that whatever about the rights and wrongs of our history, the past needs to be left in the past.

Unfortunatly as security was so tight there was little chance of a walk about.  But she did manage to meet some of the students and staff during her visit to Trinity College.

Day 2 and Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip arrived at theGuinness Storehouse, home to the famous Guinness Brewery.

But Ma’am graciously refused to sample a drop of “The Black Stuff”. In her defence it was only 11am in the morning, a tad early to start drinking, even for a monarch.

Then it was on to Government buildings to meet An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, to discuss “His Five Point Plan” (sorry, only the Irish among you will get that little joke, but I couldn’t resist).

You'd think he'd have lit the fire for the poor woman!

And then she did what every little boy in Ireland dreams of doing ………

Walking out onto the pitch in Croker

The Queen takes in the view from The Hogan Stand in Croke Park

One the most touching moments of her visit was her speech at a dinner hosted for her in Dublin Castle.  It was a very moving speech and you can hear it here for anyone who hasn’t yet heard it.  My favourite part is where she says “I like this clinking of glasses” at the end.  Epic

Day 3 and the Queen managed a little “Me Time”.  She has a passion for horse racing and she had specifically requested visits to both The Irish National Stud and also Coolmore Stud in County Tipperary, home to some of the worlds most famous thoroughbreds.

The Queen also managed to take in a Gala evening in The National Convention Centre, a visit to The Rock of Cashel and a trip to The English Market in Cork during her short visit.

And Cork succeeded where Dublin did not, ……..she managed a quick walk about.

And all too soon it was over and she boarded her plane back to the UK.  Of course there was a small number of protesters who attempted to disrupt her visit.  But there were by far in the minority cos this lady has warmed the hearts of pretty much everyone on this island.

We have another famous visitor coming to Ireland on Monday, Americas’ President Barrack Obama.  Now no disrespect sir, but you have a hard act to follow…….

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