President Michael D Higgins has insisted his state visit to Britain was not intended to “force amnesia” about the country’s past treatment of Ireland.

To be, or not to be theatrical, that was the question for President Michael D Higgins as he took to the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

It was a state visit that changed the state of relations between Ireland and Britain for good. Here are some things we noticed along the way.

IT WAS a historic week: Michael D went to meet the Queen; Martin Mac went to meet the Queen; Tommie Gorman went to meet the Queen.

The royal carpet to be rolled out for Michael D Higgins will be an even richer red than usual as Britain’s Queen Elizabeth has taken a special interest in how the President is treated during the state visit.