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Queen praises UK-Irish 'rapport' in banquet speech Queen offers sympathy to Irish victims of troubles
(about 1 hour 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 offered her "sincere thoughts and deep sympathy" to the victims of Ireland and the UK's troubled past.
She acknowledged the "heartache, turbulence and loss" in the history of British-Irish relations. At a banquet in Dublin Castle she said with hindsight "we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all".
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". She went on to praise the "lasting rapport" now between the countries.
Near the castle, gardai clashed with protesters opposed to the visit. An apology was not expected, BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said, but the Queen came "pretty close".
The Queen said that the two countries' relationship over the centuries had "not always been straightforward" nor "entirely benign".
Nicholas Witchell said there was an "underlying sentiment of sorrow and regret" in the language of the speech, which was "a powerful expression, a personal expression by the Queen" and "a wish, finally to turn a page".
Meanwhile, near the castle, gardai clashed with protesters opposed to the visit.
The Queen is the first British monarch ever to visit the Republic.The Queen is the first British monarch ever to visit the Republic.
Earlier, she visited Croke Park sports stadium in Dublin, where 14 people were killed by British forces 91 years ago.Earlier, she visited Croke Park sports stadium in Dublin, where 14 people were killed by British forces 91 years ago.
On the second day of her visit to the Republic of Ireland, she also laid a wreath honouring Ireland's World War I dead.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 opened her speech - made in the same room where Queen Victoria once dined - in Irish. The Queen arrived at Dublin Castle - which used to be the seat of British rule - with the Duke of Edinburgh by her side, in a dress adorned with 2,091 hand-sewn embroidered shamrocks.
"A hUachtarain agus a chairde (President and friends)", she said. The monarch opened her speech - made in the same room where Queen Victoria once dined - in Irish.
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". "A hUachtarain agus a chairde (President and friends)," she said.
"No one here this evening could doubt that heartfelt desire of our two nations," she said. She went on: "It is a sad and regrettable reality that through history our islands have experienced more than their fair share of heartache, turbulence and loss.
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". "These events have touched us all, many of us personally, and are a painful legacy. We can never forget those who have died or been injured, and their families.
By opening her speech in Irish, the Queen delivered one of the most powerful soundbites of the peace process.
"Wow" was how Ireland's President Mary McAleese responded as the British monarch spoke in the native Irish tongue.
Open-mouthed, she said it again - "wow".
It was only a couple of words, but by using Irish, the Queen demonstrated a respect for independent Ireland that helped to exorcise some of the ghosts of the past.
The extended standing ovation for the speech showed how well it went down.
Never mind the King's Speech, the Irish history books will be more interested in the Queen's speech.
"To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy."
She added: "With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all."
The Queen praised 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 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 said the strong relationship between Ireland and Britain was reflected in the fact that many people in the UK had relatives across the Irish Sea - as many Irish families had close relatives in Britain.
She arrived with the Duke of Edinburgh by her side in a dress adorned with 2,091 hand sewn embroidered shamrocks. Addressing the state dinner, President McAleese said a new chapter had been opened between Ireland and Britain.
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. She said she was proud of Ireland's difficult journey to national sovereignty and a republic which asserts religious and civil liberty.
"I am particularly proud of this island's peacemakers who having experienced first hand the appalling, toxic harvest of failing to resolve old hatreds and political differences, rejected the perennial culture of conflict and compromised enough to let a new future in," she said.
Outside Dublin Castle, 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.
Five people were arrested and Gardai (Irish police) have corralled about 50 members of the 32 CSM against a wall.
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.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.
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". He said the royal trip had "set the seal" on an already very strong relationship between Britain and the Republic of Ireland.
He said: "Your presence does honour to our Association, to its special place in Irish life, and to its hundreds of thousands of members." In the afternoon, the Queen was welcomed in Croke park by Gaelic Athletic Association president Christy Cooney, who said her presence was an "honour" and the visit would underpin and advance the peace process and "go down in the history of the GAA".
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".
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.
Soldier memorial
Before going to Croke Park, the Queen laid a wreath honouring almost 50,000 soldiers at the Irish National War Memorial.Before going to Croke Park, the Queen laid a wreath honouring almost 50,000 soldiers at the Irish National War Memorial.
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."
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".
"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.

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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