Queen Elizabeth's State visit to Ireland 'was not just another trip'

Then jobs minister in 2011 Richard Bruton, said:  'We recognised that there was a personal stake on behalf of her majesty and that her being here was of major importance'

During her State visit to Ireland Queen Elizabeth II questioned whether she could return to Ireland privately. Photo: Maxwells Dublin

While the queen's cúpla focail at Dublin Castle was the culmination of a warmly-received trip, it was also the culmination of months of work for a government that was not long in office.

The state visit was announced on March 4 after an invite from President Mary McAleese, five days before the Labour-Fine Gael Government sat first on March 9.