Two bomb scares however have not deterred Her Majesty from making a visit that will certainly find its way into future GCSE books about the Anglo-Irish crisis. By crisis I mean all the events over the last 600 years which have contributed to the fear and hatred of the two societies involved.
Some Irish nationals claim that the border between the two countries is just as dangerous as 20 years ago, and that the press in both countries sees it as in their best interests not to report attacks. Internationally, news has hailed the visit of Queen Elizabeth the First. 'Now that would be historic!' says Mark Davenport, Northern Ireland political correspondent on Twitter.
While David Cameron calls this an historic day, one is left wondering what the future holds for Ireland. With the economic crisis, the bomb scares, and the relationship with the EU, is the Republic of Ireland going to look the same in 100 years time?
A page has certainly been turned, and I am sure a book is being written about the visit. Hopefully it will be positive, and will probably point out the effect of the visit being around Easter. The Queen has always been one for symbolism!
