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Queen praises UK-Irish 'rapport' in banquet speech Queen praises UK-Irish 'rapport' in banquet speech
(40 minutes later)
The Queen has praised the UK-Irish "lasting rapport" during a speech at a state banquet at Dublin Castle - the only public address of her Irish visit.The Queen has praised the UK-Irish "lasting rapport" during a speech at a state banquet at Dublin Castle - the only public address of her Irish visit.
She acknowledged the "heartache, turbulence and loss" in the history of British-Irish relations.She acknowledged the "heartache, turbulence and loss" in the history of British-Irish relations.
But she said no-one could have imagined the "strength of the bonds that are now in place between the governments and the people of our two nations".But she said no-one could have imagined the "strength of the bonds that are now in place between the governments and the people of our two nations".
Near the castle, gardai clashed with protesters opposed to the visit.Near the castle, gardai clashed with protesters opposed to the visit.
Earlier, the Queen visited Croke Park sports stadium in Dublin, where 14 people were killed by British forces 91 years ago. The Queen is the first British monarch ever to visit the Republic.
On the second day of her visit to the Republic of Ireland she also laid a wreath honouring Ireland's World War I dead. Earlier, she visited Croke Park sports stadium in Dublin, where 14 people were killed by British forces 91 years ago.
She is the first British monarch ever to visit the Republic. On the second day of her visit to the Republic of Ireland, she also laid a wreath honouring Ireland's World War I dead.
In Dublin Castle, which used to be the seat of British rule, the monarch delivered a speech in the same room where Queen Victoria once dined. In Dublin Castle, which used to be the seat of British rule, the monarch opened her speech - made in the same room where Queen Victoria once dined - in Irish.
"A hUachtarain agus a chairde (President and friends)", she said.
She said the visit was a reminder of the "complexity" of British-Irish history which had left a "painful legacy", but no one who looked to the future over the past centuries could have predicted the "spirit of partnership that we now enjoy, and the lasting rapport between us".
"No one here this evening could doubt that heartfelt desire of our two nations," she said.
The Queen went on to praise President Mary McAleese - who was hosting the visit - who had "done a great deal to promote this understanding and reconciliation" and "set out to build bridges".
The monarch also highlighted the legacy of the Good Friday Agreement whose success in helping to bring stability and peace to Northern Ireland had ultimately made her visit possible.
"The lessons from the peace process are clear - whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load," she said.
She arrived with the Duke of Edinburgh by her side in a dress adorned with 2,091 hand sewn embroidered shamrocks.She arrived with the Duke of Edinburgh by her side in a dress adorned with 2,091 hand sewn embroidered shamrocks.
Outside, members of the 32 county sovereignty movement, which opposes the Queen's visit, clashed with Gardai in nearby Nicholas Street, the BBC's Ken Murray said.Outside, members of the 32 county sovereignty movement, which opposes the Queen's visit, clashed with Gardai in nearby Nicholas Street, the BBC's Ken Murray said.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron is present at the state dinner, after flying in and holding talks with the Taoiseach, Mr Kenny, on Wednesday evening. UK Prime Minister David Cameron was present at the state dinner, after flying in and holding talks with the Taoiseach, Mr Kenny, on Wednesday evening.
The Queen was met at the main entrance of Croke Park by Mr Cooney and President Mary McAleese, who is hosting the visit. In the afternoon, the Queen was welcomed in Croke park by Gaelic Athletic Association president Christy Cooney, who said the visit would underpin and advance the peace process and "go down in the history of the GAA".
A display of Irish set dancing was followed by a meeting with GAA officials.
GAA president Christy Cooney said her presence "does honour to our association".
On Tuesday, the Queen had laid a wreath in memory of those who died fighting for Ireland against her own country's forces.
Less than 24 hours later, she was on the opposite side of Dublin for another memorial - this time, honouring Irishmen who fought and died for Britain in WWI.
Dignitaries, including the Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and many other representatives from the unionist community, looked on as the Queen laid a wreath of poppies.
A lone piper played a lament and the band the Last Post before the Queen went to look at the Roll of Honour - the names of 49,400 men who went to war for the crown and did not return.
Addressing the Queen, Mr Cooney said the visit would underpin and advance the peace process and "go down in the history of the GAA".
He said: "Your presence does honour to our Association, to its special place in Irish life, and to its hundreds of thousands of members."He said: "Your presence does honour to our Association, to its special place in Irish life, and to its hundreds of thousands of members."
He added that he was "deeply saddened" to attend the funeral of GAA member PSNI Constable Ronan Kerr last month.He added that he was "deeply saddened" to attend the funeral of GAA member PSNI Constable Ronan Kerr last month.
The Queen was presented with a limited edition book outlining the GAA's history, and Prince Philip was presented with a hurley stick and a sliothar (hurling ball), with the aside that he should use it "in the back garden".The Queen was presented with a limited edition book outlining the GAA's history, and Prince Philip was presented with a hurley stick and a sliothar (hurling ball), with the aside that he should use it "in the back garden".
Dublin footballer Kevin Nolan, who was one of four players from across Ireland to meet the Queen at Croke Park, told Radio Ulster's Evening Extra it was a "great honour" to represent the GAA at the event.Dublin footballer Kevin Nolan, who was one of four players from across Ireland to meet the Queen at Croke Park, told Radio Ulster's Evening Extra it was a "great honour" to represent the GAA at the event.
On 21 November 1920, during the War of Independence, 13 spectators and one player were killed when British forces opened fire at a football match at the home of Gaelic sports.On 21 November 1920, during the War of Independence, 13 spectators and one player were killed when British forces opened fire at a football match at the home of Gaelic sports.
Earlier that day, IRA assassination squads had shot dead 14 suspected British intelligence agents in Dublin.Earlier that day, IRA assassination squads had shot dead 14 suspected British intelligence agents in Dublin.
The BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said the Queen walking out on the hallowed nationalist turf at Croke Park represented "the once unimaginable becoming the norm".
Soldier memorialSoldier memorial
The Queen and Prince Philip were shown how to pour a pint of Guinness on their first stop of the day, but declined a taste of Ireland's most famous export. Before going to Croke Park, the Queen laid a wreath honouring almost 50,000 soldiers at the Irish National War Memorial.
They then met Prime Minister Enda Kenny and were shown around government buildings in the capital.
The Queen then laid a wreath honouring almost 50,000 soldiers at the Irish National War Memorial.
The Queen's attendance at the ceremony honouring the Irish soldiers who died in World War I reflects an aspect of history that has been troubling for her hosts.
For decades, when the focus of admiration was on the rebels who fought and died in the 1916 Easter Rising, the soldiers' contribution went unrecognised.
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson, who was among the dignitaries at the ceremony, said: "Everyone remembers the past but we have to look to the future, but there are clear indications as a society - in the UK and Republic - people are moving on.Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson, who was among the dignitaries at the ceremony, said: "Everyone remembers the past but we have to look to the future, but there are clear indications as a society - in the UK and Republic - people are moving on.
"They want better relations and we are in a new era.""They want better relations and we are in a new era."
Mr Kenny has said he wishes to discuss the release of UK government files on the 1974 Dublin and Monaghan bombings, in which victims' relatives believe there was British state collusion. At prime minister's questions on Wednesday, David Cameron told MPs that the relationship between Britain and the Republic of Ireland "probably has never been stronger".
At prime minister's questions on Wednesday, Mr Cameron told MPs that the relationship between Britain and the Republic of Ireland "probably has never been stronger".
"The scenes on our television screen last night of the visits that Her Majesty made, to heal the wounds of the past, but also to look to a very bright future between our two countries, are remarkable and hugely welcome," he said."The scenes on our television screen last night of the visits that Her Majesty made, to heal the wounds of the past, but also to look to a very bright future between our two countries, are remarkable and hugely welcome," he said.
One of the country's biggest security operations is in place for the Queen's four-day visit.

President's residence

President's residence

The Queen and Prince Philip's signatures on the visitors' book at the official residence of the Irish presidentThe Queen and Prince Philip's signatures on the visitors' book at the official residence of the Irish president

Garden of Remembrance

Garden of Remembrance

Wreath-laying at the Garden of Remembrance, the Queen (left) with President Mary McAleese (right)Wreath-laying at the Garden of Remembrance, the Queen (left) with President Mary McAleese (right)
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Trinity College

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Trinity College

The Queen inspects the Book of Kells at Trinity CollegeThe Queen inspects the Book of Kells at Trinity College
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Government Buildings

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Government Buildings

The Queen signs the visitors' book at Government Buildings, while meeting the Irish prime minister, on rightThe Queen signs the visitors' book at Government Buildings, while meeting the Irish prime minister, on right

National War Memorial Gardens

National War Memorial Gardens

Irish veterans meet the Queen and the Irish president at the Irish War Memorial GardensIrish veterans meet the Queen and the Irish president at the Irish War Memorial Gardens

Guinness Storehouse

Guinness Storehouse

The Queen is offered a pint at the Guinness StorehouseThe Queen is offered a pint at the Guinness Storehouse

The Queen's itinerary

The Queen's itinerary

Wednesday 18 May: Tour of the Guinness Storehouse; visit the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, at Government Buildings; wreath-laying ceremony at the Irish War Memorial Garden; Croke Park stadium to meet Gaelic Athletic Association; state dinner at Dublin Castle.Wednesday 18 May: Tour of the Guinness Storehouse; visit the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, at Government Buildings; wreath-laying ceremony at the Irish War Memorial Garden; Croke Park stadium to meet Gaelic Athletic Association; state dinner at Dublin Castle.
Thursday 19 May: Visit to National Stud at Kildare.Thursday 19 May: Visit to National Stud at Kildare.
Friday 20 May: Tour of St. Patrick's Rock, Cashel and the English Market and Tyndall Institute, Cork.Friday 20 May: Tour of St. Patrick's Rock, Cashel and the English Market and Tyndall Institute, Cork.
Are you in Ireland? What do you think of the state visit? Are you planning to attend any events or protests? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Ireland? What do you think of the state visit? Are you planning to attend any events or protests? Send us your comments using the form below.
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