As the country prepares for Queen Elizabeth II’s historic visit to Ireland, we outline her itinerary and the planned TV coverage of the event. Watch it! Tuesday to Friday, RTÉ One, TV3.
First a Royal wedding, and now a Royal visit. It would appear that, despite being the grand old age of 85, Britain's Queen Elizabeth still has enough energy for what could be one of her most important overseas trips ever.
This week, the queen will be accompanied by her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, on the first visit to the Republic by a reigning British monarch. British Ambassador Julian King said the Queen and her husband were “very much looking forward to their visit” to Ireland. Adding that, “the invitation symbolises how far the relationship between the two countries has come in recent years; the strength of our economic and political ties; and the progress that has been made in Northern Ireland. The visit will provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate this, and build on the rich and varied links that exist across these islands.”
Despite his optimism and the positivity of most surrounding this historic visit, we’re all aware of the split opinions and troubles that still persist across this land when it comes to the monarchy.
However, what we must remember is that successful visits by the British monarch and later this month, President Barack Obama, could give this nation exactly what it needs – a positive spin in front of the world’s press. And who knows, it may even encourage those who once questioned whether we really are a nation of a thousand welcomes - to make the trip themselves.
During her four-day stay Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and her husband will tour sites that are powerful reminders of the Republic’s troubled relationship with her nation. Croke Park and Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance are both on her agenda, along with many other famous landmarks. Here we take a closer look at the itinerary.
Queen Elizabeth II’s itinerary from Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 May 2011
Tuesday, 17 May
Arrives:
Áras an Uachtaráin:
Ceremonial welcome
Meeting with President and Dr. McAleese
On the Queen’s visit President McAleese has said:
"The visit reflects the depth and the warmth of the British Irish relationship and the extent to which it has developed in recent years. The friendship between our two islands and between our peoples has never been closer politically, economically or culturally. The visit will provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate what has been achieved, notably the successful and sustained peace in Northern Ireland which has been made possible by the close partnership between the British and Irish Governments."
Garden of Remembrance:
Wreath Laying Ceremony
Trinity College:
View Book of Kells
Reception in the Long Room
Visit to Trinity College Dublin
Wednesday, 18 May
Morning
Guinness Storehouse:
“Windows” Tour of Dublin
Government Buildings:
Greeted by the Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D.
Afternoon
Irish War Memorial Garden, Islandbridge:
Wreath Laying Ceremony
A tour of the Islandbridge National War Memorial Gardens in Dublin. The gardens commemorate the thousands of Irish soldiers who died in British or Allied uniforms during the two world wars.
Croke Park:
Visit to stadium and meeting with Gaelic Athletic Association members:
This visit to Croke Park will probably be more significant than even the battle seen by Irish and English rugby teams in 2007. In 1920, on a day that’s now known as Bloody Sunday, British troops fired on a GAA football match, killing 14 people. It was only in 2005 that the GAA relaxed its famous Rule 42, which banned the playing of foreign games (rugby and soccer) on its grounds.
Dublin Castle:
State Dinner
Thursday, 19 May
Morning
National Stud Kildare:
Visit and meeting with industry representatives
Farmleigh House:
Reception with members of Gaisce – The President’s Award (H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh only).
Afternoon
Convention Centre:
A celebration of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II’s State visit to Ireland hosted by the British Embassy.
Friday, 20 May
Morning
St. Patrick’s Rock, Cashel:
The Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phádraig), also known as Cashel of the Kings and St. Patrick's Rock, is a historic site in Munster, located in South Tipperary and was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion. According to local mythology, the Rock of Cashel originated in the Devil's Bit, a mountain 30km north of Cashel, when St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave, resulting in the Rock landing in Cashel.
Afternoon
English Market, Cork:
Meet with traders
Tyndall National Institute, Cork:
Visit research facility and reception
Cork Airport:
Departure
TV Coverage
RTÉ News coverage:
RTÉ News will provide live coverage of the major state events including Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Áras an Uachtaráin; the commemorative events - at the Irish War Memorial Garden at Islandbridge in Dublin; the State Dinner at Dublin Castle and her attendances at Croke Park and in Cork.
RTÉ Television will be at locations across Dublin, Kildare, Tipperary and Cork to provide viewers with live coverage of the Queen’s engagements over the course of her four-day visit and in Dublin. Presenters for the the visit are Bryan Dobson, Miriam O’Callaghan, Eileen Dunne, Mary Kennedy and John Bowman for Television and Myles Dungan for Radio.
Tomorrow, Tuesday 17 May, television coverage will include the arrival of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel; their visit to Áras an Uachtaráin to meet with the President and Dr McAleese; a wreath-laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance and a visit to Trinity College, Dublin.
On Wednesday morning, coverage will include the Queen’s visits to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin; to Government Buildings, where she will be welcomed by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD; to the Irish War Memorial Garden at Islandbridge; to Croke Park and later, her attendance at the State Dinner in Dublin Castle. The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, will also be in Ireland that day on his first official visit to this country.
On Thursday there will be coverage of the Queen’s visit to the National Stud and also of an evening reception hosted by the British Embassy.
On Friday, the Queen’s visit to St Patrick’s Rock in Cashel and to Cork will also be shown, followed by her departure from Cork Airport.
Forbidden Love: The Royals
Monday, RTÉ One
Rosaleen Linehan narrates this examination of Irish affection for the British royal family in spite of the policial climate between the two countries.
The Queen and Us
Tuesday 10.15pm RTÉ One
Tommie Gorman looks at the political and social context to the visit of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland. He raises the question 'why now?' and looks at the reasons this visit is regarded as significant. Contributors to the programme include: former United States Special Envoy to Northern Ireland George Mitchell, UK Prime Minister David Cameron and, speaking exclusively to Tommie Gorman, President McAleese, who all share their views as to why they feel this visit is so significant and what the future holds for Anglo-Irish relations.
The Queen in Ireland: BBC News Special
Tuesday, BBC Two
This hour-long special documents the historic visit.
TV3 coverage:
TV3's coverage will be spread across 'Ireland AM', 'The Morning Show with Sybil & Martin', 'Midday', 'News @5.30', 'Xposé' and 'Tonight with Vincent Browne' from Monday 16 May to Friday 20 May.
Radio Coverage
Listeners can follow the Queen’s visit across the Radio 1 schedule, with live updates, stories, features and analysis on ‘Morning Ireland’, ‘Today with Pat Kenny’, the ‘News at One’ and ‘Drivetime with Mary Wilson’.
There will be an extended 'Today with Pat Kenny' on Tuesday to cover the arrival of the Queen, while Myles Dungan will provide commentary on key events across Tuesday afternoon.
The Queen with her husband, The Duke of Edinburgh
