Queen Elizabeth is undertaking, arguably, the most controversial leg of her four-day State visit this afternoon with a trip to Croke Park.
The British monarch’s visit to the GAA headquarters, the scene of a massacre of 14 unarmed citizens by British troops during the War of Independence, is seen as another watershed moment in Anglo-Irish relations.
The visit to the stadium, a site steeped in symbolism for nationalists, was specially requested by the President Mary McAleese during the preparations for the royal visit.
Gardaí were keen to ensure the event passed off without incident amid heightened concern protest groups could attempt to disrupt it.
Hundreds of uniformed and plain clothes gardaí are manning the route taken by the royal entourage from Parnell Square to Mountjoy Square and Jones’s Road. There were no reports of any incidents.
A senior Garda source told The Irish Times the Croke Park leg of the Queen's trip was a "major security concern" for gardaí. He said members of the public were being kept at a discreet distance from the stadium during the royal visit.
The stadium has been site of a number of important moments in Anglo-Irish relations in recent years.
In February 2007, it hosted the Six Nations rugby match between Ireland and England where the British national anthem was played in the stadium for first time.
The GAA has said it hopes the Queen’s visit will encourage a greater interest and participation in Gaelic sports by Irishmen and women of the unionist tradition.
The Queen and Prince Philip, accompanied by President McAleese and her husband, will be greeted at the stadium by GAA president Christy Cooney and the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan.
As the royal party enters the stadium, 34 children dressed in GAA jerseys of each county, including the colours of New York and London clubs, lined the forecourt.
