Irish President Michael D Higgins begins an official state visit to Britain today with the head of state heralding a new era of relations between the two countries.

Northern Ireland deputy first minister and former IRA commander Martin McGuinness has heaped praise on the Queen for taking a leadership role in the peace process.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has today welcomed the decision by Martin McGuinness to a state banquet with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle, saying that people had to “move on and not be blocked by the past”.

HISTORY books will chronicle the meeting of Queen Elizabeth II and President Mary McAleese on Irish soil as momentous, but for fashion watchers it was their outfits which grabbed all the attention.

The parents and uncle of Republic of Ireland striker Anthony Stokes have been released from police custody without charge.

An uncle of Celtic star Anthony Stokes has been released from Garda custody without charge after he was arrested with the player’s parents in Dublin.

Three people have been arrested after ammunition was seized in a pub ordered to remove a 40ft banner barring the Queen of England during her state visit to Ireland.

FROM Ajai Chopra and Olli Rehn to Barack Obama and now the Queen — our visitors’ book is showing gradual signs of improvement.

BRITAIN’S Queen Elizabeth is scheduled to visit the Rock of Cashel, and the Irish National Stud and confirmation of her intention to visit Cork will provide a welcome boost for some of the country’s most celebrated tourist attractions.

The British Queen’s state visit to Ireland will see her tour sites that are powerful reminders of Britain’s troubled relationship with the Republic.

AN association of head shop owners has raised serious concerns over how the industry is being treated by gardaí and the Government.

The victims of the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict will be remembered today in ceremonies in Dublin and Thurles.

The Government must designate an annual day of commemoration to remember the victims of the Famine, it was claimed today.