Keep Calm and Carry On

So happy to be back in the US visiting my family and friends, but I am missing a bit of excitement this week in my new city of Cork.  Excitement may not even be the right word. I am actually missing a historic event! Queen Elizabeth II will be making a short stop in Cork as a part of her first official visit to the Republic.  In fact this is the first time in 100 years that a British monarch has graced Ireland with their presence.  I was really shocked the first time I heard that statistic!

It's interesting being an outsider in this situation. The Irish people don't have the same opportunity to remain neutral in their opinions of this event. Some in fact have very strong opinions, as they should. The Queen's tour includes visits to some of the most sensitive sites of trouble between Britain and Ireland.  Like the United States, The Republic of Ireland had to fight to get out from under the thumb of British rule.  However, their fight lasted much longer and many of the wounds are still quite fresh.  It was not until 1949 that Ireland became a republic, and the office of President of Ireland replaced that of the King.  

Because of Ireland's long and bloody battle with Britain the Queen's visit has prompted serious security concerns.  In fact the fist day of her visit coincided with the 37th anniversary of the bloodiest day of The Troubles, in which 34 people were killed in four car bombs in Dublin and Monaghan. She visited Croke Park stadium, where British troops opened fire at a Gaelic football match in 1920.  A ceremony to lay a wreath in Dublin's Garden of Remembrance, which honors those who died fighting to free Ireland was also part of her itinerary while in Dublin.

Car bombs in Dublin 1974

1974 Dublin

Garden of Remeberance

Her Majesty lays a wreath in the Garden of Rememberance Tuesday in Dublin.

All lovely gestures in hopes of the now continued peace and goodwill between the two nations. Unfortunately not all the people feel that way. Protester were out in full force the day of her arrival, and the Irish military even defused a bomb found on a bus Tuesday morning.  I came across this quote in an Irish newspaper from one of the many people who opposed this visit.  

"The British monarchy is based on values of hierarchy, inequality and deference which have no place in a modern republic. I see no reason why this feudal relic should be invited to Cork, or feted at taxpayers’ expense."

Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/cork-visit-on-queens-agenda-150213.html#ixzz1M9yUs9jw

Ireland (who is deep, deep in debt by the way) has spent an estimated $42 million on security for the visit.  A week before my return to the US I witnessed where some of that money was going in  preparation. Crews were checking and sealing all the man hole/sewer covers in Cork City.  Tomorrow when she arrives pedestrians will be limited to crossing streets at designated points and may even be subject to garda (police) searches.  Maybe I should be glad I'm out of the country!  I would hate to be patted down on my way into town to run errands!

Her visit in Cork will consist of meeting with The Mayor, a trip to the historic English Market, and a stop at UCC's (University College Cork) Tyndall Research Center.  For Cork and Southern Ireland the Queen's visit is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the tourism industry, and all the beauty this area of the country has to offer.  But you don't need to take the Queens word for it, come and see for yourself!  Once I'm back in Ireland in a few weeks, I'll be happy to show you around.  I'm no British Monarch, but I promise to give you the royal treatment!