QUEEN Elizabeth TO VISIT IRELAND THIS SUMMER
Britain's Queen Elizabeth is to pay a state visit to the
Irish Republic this year, the first by a British monarch for
a century, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Queen Elizabeth II accepted an invitation from the
Republic's President Mary McAleese.
Her grandfather, George V, was the last serving monarch to
visit the country in 1911 when it was then part of the UK.
In a brief statement, the Irish Government said it welcomes
the acceptance of the invitation. “The visit will mark a
further improvement in the very good relations between
Ireland and the United Kingdom.”
A number of sources said earlier this month the queen would
make a “major” speech in Dublin Castle on relations between
the two countries.
The queen will be accompanied by her husband, the Duke of
Edinburgh on the visit, the first to the Republic by a
reigning British monarch.
The success of the Northern Ireland peace process is thought
to have made the visit possible.
President McAleese's office said the timing of the visit
would be confirmed at a later date.
The war of independence and use of the British army in the
Troubles in Northern Ireland strained relations between the
UK and the Irish Republic for much of the 20th Century.
The visit is expected to take place early in the summer.