Queen Elizabeth II of England is making on official visit to Ireland in May 2011.
She is arriving on May 17th and will be in Ireland until May 20th.
Security is expected to be very high because of protests by Republican groups. Apparently two PSNI water cannons have been borrowed by the Gardaí who are expecting demonstrations.
The Queen will be accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. The visit will start with a welcome by President Mary McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin followed by a ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance ; a courtesy call on the Taoiseach at Government Buildings; and a State dinner in Dublin Castle, at which both the Queen and the President will deliver speeches.
A visit to the National Stud in Kildare is next on the Quees’s itinerary followed by a visit to g Gilltown Stud, which is located outside Kilcullenin Co Kildare. ( The stud is owned by the Aga Khan )
As part of the security arrangements, the National Stud and adjacent Japanese Gardens will be closed to the public from Tuesday to Thursday next week and will re-open on Friday
A trip to Cashel is next on the card for the Queeen – to see the landmark Rock Of Cashel. The attraction will be closed from 16th to 19th May for security reasons.
Cork City is the next destination on the Queen’s visit.
In Thurday 19th Westlife and X-Factor contestant Mary Byrne and others will be performing for Queen Elizabeth during an evening celebrating fashion, music and theatre in Dublin Convention Centre in the Docklands. 2,000 guests have been invited to the event and President Mary McAleese will also be in attendance.
Queen Elizabeth II is expected in Cork City on Friday 20th with a planned visit to the English Market .
Th Queen will depart from Cork Airport on 20th May