The queen in 2011 ... the king in 1911

George V visited Ireland 100 years ago this July. His welcome was flat — Home Rule was the real issue,says Robert Hume

‘A cloudless sky, Dublin bay bathed in glorious sunshine, a flag-bedecked fleet lying at anchor in the scarce-rippled waters of the Irish Sea … pinnaces laden with tars flitting across the sparkling waters; the quay ablaze with welcoming throngs.’

THE above passage is the Cork Examiner waxing lyrical about the arrival of King George V, Queen Mary, and their eldest son and daughter on Saturday, July 8, 1911. The editor noted that his Dublin correspondent was describing the scene ‘through English glasses.’