The Queen's itinerary today
ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN 12.30pm
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip will be greeted on steps of the Áras by President McAleese and Dr McAleese before being escorted inside and introduced to the Taoiseach Enda Kenny. A ceremonial welcome for the Queen includes a 21-gun salute, an Army Air Corps fly-by, an inspection of the guard and a tree-planting ceremony. President to hold brief bilateral meeting with the Queen before hosting luncheon for both delegations.
GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE 3.15pm
The Queen and President will be greeted by Minister for Justice Alan Shatter and Lieut Gen Seán McCann, Army Chief of Staff, and escorted to the sculpture platform. Both heads of state will place wreaths at the memorial before a minute’s silence is observed for those who died in the cause of Irish freedom. Army officer will recite poem Rinneadh Aisling Dúinn (We saw a Vision) before the Tricolour is flown at full mast. Both national anthems will be played.
BOOK OF KELLS 3.40pm
Queen and Prince Philip will be greeted by Trinity Provost John Hegarty and escorted to Book of Kells exhibition in old library building. Royal delegation WILL attend reception in Long Room where they will meet Trinity dignitaries, scholars, musicians and artists, before being invited to sign visitors’ book. Royals depart from old library building and greet students en route to motorcade which will return Queen and Prince Philip to Farmleigh.
Where the Queen will stay
Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh will spend three nights at Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park during their visit. Originally a modest Georgian house, Farmleigh was extended and redesigned in the 19th century under the ownership of the Guinness family. It includes 20 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, six reception rooms, a ballroom, a library and a gallery as well as its own clock tower, dairy and boathouse. The 78-acre estate was purchased from the Guinness family in 1999 for almost €30 million and refurbished at a cost of €23 million. It is now used as the official State guesthouse for visiting dignitaries.
It has also been used for some Government meetings.
Previous guests included former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, former US president Jimmy Carter, Macedonian prime minister Nikola Gruevski, Vietnam’s prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung and European Commission president José Manuel Barroso