President of Ireland Mary McAleese speech at the Irish State Banquet for Queen Elizabeth II

18th May 2011: In what is a symbolic visit by HM Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland, President McAleese addresses the guests at the Irish State Banquet held in honour of the Queen at Dublin Castle. President McAleese was followed by a speech by the Queen (separate video).

"Your Majesty, from our previous conversations I know of your deep support for the peace process and your longing to see relationships between our two countries sustained on a template of good neighbourliness," she says.

"Your visit here is an important sign - among a growing number of signs - that we have embarked on the fresh start envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement. Your visit is a formal recognition of what has, for many years, been a reality - that Ireland and Britain are neighbours, equals, colleagues and friends.

"Though the seas between us have often been stormy, we have chosen to build a solid and enduring bridge of friendship between us and to cross it to a new, a happier future."

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News & Politics

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• queen
• elizabeth
• II
• state
• visit
• ireland
• dublin
• president
• mary
• mcaleese
• speech
• irish
• banquet
• northern
• UK
• british
• 2011

[TheCailindana]

It's days like this that make me proud to be irish

[nelosw20]

impeccable speech, I don't think she made even one mistake........ such a great ambassador for Ireland. Content was great too. Fair play Mrs. McAleese

[mandysroyalty]

What a great speech. Bravo! Being of strong English and Irish descent, it makes me very happy and proud that the two countries can be at peace and work together. President McAleese bluntly acknowledges the wrong that occurred, but she also acknowledged that being at peace and working cooperatively makes them both prosperous. Not just economically, but emotionally as well.

[RawJobber]

Who would of thought 20 odd years ago we would be here and that Gerry Adams and Paisley could sit and stand near each other. Two men I used to despise who I now have a lot of respect for.

[RawJobber]

Now you've got the scumbags in baraclavas who are still killing policemen and believing they are doing it for Ireland. That is not the Ireland I know. If anything only a small minority of terrorists don't want peace. I have all the time in the world for President Mary McAleese. Shame she ain't president no longer. She's done more for Ireland then the useless arse Brian Cowen.

[RawJobber]

Its like this which makes me proud to be British. Having grown up in Northern Ireland I know too well what it was like living amongst the The Troubles. My family was no different to many others who got caught up in the fire between IRA and loyalist. To me, IRA and UVF are both scum because they also killed their own and many innocent people. There is a thing which state you had to support one of the other. Forget that nonsense, I've always supported peace & unity for both countries.

[LarryFogarty]

A COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY SHE WAS....THANK GOD SHES GONE...GOOD RIDDANCE

[jratt2]

@mir2k9 What school is she visiting here?

The Office of President is untainted by the corruption of the Office of the Taoiseach, it is the last area of our government held in any respect by the people. The President also engages in trips abroad promoting Ireland with great success and at home the President helps to protect us citizens from the passing of bad legislation by government. So while the position is largely ceremonial, it is not exclusively so and it carries prestige abroad.

[Aviationnation10]

@mir2k9 haha you are clueless she has built more relationships with other countries than any taoiseach money grabbing cunt

[mir2k9]

@Aviationnation10 i am well educated i think you should educate yourself compared to other president of the world what does she do other then visit school and open parks .We have a taoiseach and that,s all we need whats the need for a president it just costs money to keep one.Its like the queen in england shes just a representative of a country nothing more

[Aviationnation10]

@ironbar100 fuck off

[Aviationnation10]

@mir2k9 haha please educate your self...