QUEEN ELIZABETH’S visit to Dublin, the first by a British sovereign in a century, will take place in May over three days, it is understood. Buckingham Palace formally accepted the invitation yesterday.
So far, the dates for the visit have not been officially confirmed by either Áras an Uachtaráin or the palace, but it is most likely to occur either side of US president Barack Obama’s State visit to London between May 24th and 26th.
In a brief note issued after 5pm, Buckingham Palace said the Queen, who will be accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, had been “pleased” to accept the invitation from President Mary McAleese, who has long wanted it to happen.
The announcement was welcomed by all political parties in the Republic, bar Sinn Féin, although even it issued a carefully calibrated declaration that the visit was “premature”, without going as far as saying that it would actively oppose it.
Preparations are still under way, with a number of major tourist areas, such as Killarney, Co Kerry, bidding for a place on the itinerary. It is understood that Queen Elizabeth has expressed an interest for an equestrian flavour to the trip.
Her speech at a black-tie dinner in Dublin Castle, where she will be hosted by Mrs McAleese, will be the diplomatic highlight of the visit.
Welcoming the news, Democratic Unionist MP, Jeffrey Donaldson said it was “appropriate and timely” given the good relations that exist, illustrated most vividly by the UK’s decision to put up a £7 billion loan for Ireland.
George V, accompanied by Queen Mary, was the last British monarch to visit Ireland in 1911, where the welcome offered led him to tell friends later that it was “as warm-hearted and enthusiastic as any that he has ever received”.
