It’s funny how Queen Elizabeth II’s visit could unearth such emotion among a generation of Irish who are too young really to remember the persistently bad times in Northern Ireland, and who were very much indifferent to her visit in the first place. There have been occasions like the Omagh bombing where we shared the sharp pain of our friends in Northern Ireland, but we have been removed by age from the troubles of the seventies.
I include myself in this grouping.
It’s not that I was really indifferent to her visit, but it didn’t stir within me any earth shattering emotions, while at the same time I found myself on many occasions over the past few weeks defending her and President Barrack Obama’s visits and extolling the enormous benefits both visits will reap for our country.
But when she finally landed in Baldonnell and disembarked the plane dressed in what could be a version of an Aer Lingus uniform, I finally began to realise the true significance of her actions.
Day one and two passed with us, the viewing public, having plenty of time to praise her wardrobe choices and ponder her wealth.
But it was during the evening of day two, another costume change and with her stunning tiara and harp broach, that we were reminded that we were watching a truly majestic lady preparing to address our nation. The speech, and the obvious emotion shown by our own beautiful President Mary McAleese, brought it home what this week will mean for Irish history. As a healing exercise no medicine could reap such benefits.
And when Queen Elizabeth addressed the 172 gathered for the State dinner in Dublin Castle with “A Uachtaráin agus a chairde”, and to see President McAleese mouth the words “wow” and “wow” again, I knew instantly this was a hugely momentous occasion.
It is more than those tourism benefits I had been speaking of to the moaners who were outraged at the cost of these two high profile visits for our nation. It is the significance of how her words and sentiments, long awaited by the survivors of those who lost their lives at the hands of British forces, will wipe out years of resentment and anger and empower people to forgive and move on.
The Queen’s expression of sympathy was definitely heartfelt. She spoke of the centuries of conflict between Britain and Ireland, and how things could have been done differently or not been done at all.
While she stopped short of offering an apology for Britain’s actions in Ireland, Queen Elizabeth has on so many occasions over the past few days been given sharp reminders of the suffering of so many. Having laid a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance the previous day, Queen Elizabeth had a lot to ponder before delivering her highly anticipated speech.
And yet again it was a proud day to be a Mayo person with our own Enda Kenny seated to her Majesty’s right hand side and looking dapper in his tuxedo.
And while the Queen’s visit has passed despite the efforts of a few misguided Premiership supporters who attempted to burn flags in the name of Republicanism — the irony of it all — the passing of Dr Garret Fitzgerald this week has attracted sympathies from political leaders of all stripes. Dr Fitzgerald was famed for his contribution to Irish life, his balanced political outlook, his warmth and his tireless work for peace in this country, and will be remembered as one of our greatest political leaders.
This must be one of the most significant weeks in Ireland’s modern history and will probably attract a fitting title when the historians document each and every remarkable occurrence. If nothing, it will enable a generation of Irish to understand more fully how our ancestors fought and suffered for the independence we enjoy today.
