Why has State visit to Britain taken so long?

At last — an official State visit by the Irish head of State to Britain next year. How incredible it is that it has taken almost 100 years for it to happen. The public will want to know why it has taken so long for everybody to bury their pride and get along.

The same question was asked as to why it had taken so long for the Good Friday/ Belfast Agreement to be signed.

Why so long for the dreadful people we have in public life to start talking and negotiating?