A Royal visit to Ireland

Queen Elizabeth is due to arrive in Ireland any moment for a four-day trip, one that will surely make the headlines. This is the first time a British monarch has visited since 1911. Britain and Ireland have a long-standing history and anyone who paid attention in history class know this will be a big. So what will the Queen be up to while visiting the Emerald Isle?

Her visit will include all the usual welcomes, handshakes and ceremonies. A 21-gun salute will welcome her and Prin Philip followed by an inspection of the Irish military guard of honour, tree-planting ceremony in front of the peace bell which was placed in 2008 to mark the 10 year anniversary of the Belfast Agreement. Luncheons, receptions and wreath-laying. Probably the most symbolic part of the Queen’s visit will include a minute of silence in remembrance of those who died fighting for the freedom of Ireland.

Áras an Uachtaráin

 

The Queen will be welcomed by the State at Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the President of Ireland in Phoenix Park located on the northern side of Dublin. Built in the mid-eighteenth century, the house has served a dozen Lords during its time.  The house underwent extreme renovations to welcome King George V and Queen Mary in 1911, the last time a member of the Royal family came to pay Ireland a visit. It was almost left completely to ruins during the Second World War but has now been almost completely restored. Don’t miss a tour of the gardens.

• Open: Saturdays from 10:15 to 16:00 in summer, from 10:30-15:30 in winter
• Admission: Free from the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, first-come, first-serve
• Facilities: Tearoom, restaurant

Dublin’s Parnell Square

Located at the end of O’Connell Street, it’s one of the city’s most important Georgian squares. It is surrounded on three sides by original Gerogian houses and along the northern side is the Garden of Remembrance where the Queen will lay a wreath and observe a minute of silence at the garden’s memorial followed by the playing of both Britain’s and Ireland’s national anthems. In and around the square are a number of historic residences which shed some light on Dublin’s past.

• Garden hours: daily 8:30-18:00 (April to September) / daily 9:30-16:00 (October to March)

Trinity College

The college was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I and is the oldest university in Ireland. Originally built outside of Dublin, the city has inevitably grown around it and not far are the Irish Houses of Parliament. It’s an oasis of parks and Victorian architecture front and centre in Dublin. The jewel of the campus is without a doubt the library, inside of which is the Book of Kells, the world’s greatest illuminated manuscript. It was written by Celtic monks around the year 800. The library itself holds more than three million books. Queen Elizabeth will meet and greet with students and visit the exhibition in the Old Library.

Farmleigh

This 78 acre estate is where the Queen will be staying during her visit to Ireland and can you imagine any better hotel in Dublin to put the Queen than here? Located on the north-western side of Phoenix Park, this Edwardian palace is reserved for visiting state dignitaries and other guests. Want to get a closer look? Guided tours are the only way to get inside to get a peek at the famous library and the art collection on loan from the Guinness family.

• Open: Thursday-Sunday from 10:00-18:00 (March 17-December)
• Tours: 30-45 minutes in length
• Admission: Free
• Facilities: Boat House Cafe, Motorhouse Cafe, Art Gallery

If you had the chance, where would you take the Queen for a day?

Imgs: freakyman, trinity digital exhibition / Flickr cc.