The Queen in Ireland: Why royal visit had to wait

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The Queen is the first British monarch to visit what is today known as the Republic of Ireland in 100 years, but is this a sign of the end of centuries of resentment, asks historian Diarmaid Ferriter.

When the Queen's grandfather, King George V, arrived in Dublin in July 1911 he subsequently recorded his "feelings of joy and affection" inspired by the "wonderful reception" he was given by people lining the streets.
Over the course of the next decade, however, the political situation in Ireland was transformed, as were Anglo-Irish relations. It was the events of these tumultuous years, incorporating the War of Independence of 1916-21 and the quest for an Irish Republic, that meant 100 years would have to pass before the next visit.
In the midst of this war, the Government of Ireland Act of 1920 created a separate parliament for the six counties of Northern Ireland, partitioning the island in order to provide a solution to the problem of unionist opposition to any inclusion in an independent Ireland.

King George V's visit to Ireland was the last by a British monarch for 100 years

The following year, the Anglo-Irish Treaty allowed for the creation of a 26-county Free State of southern Ireland within the British Empire. Of all the treaty's provisions, the inclusion of an oath of allegiance to the British Crown to be taken by Irish parliamentarians was perhaps the most bitter, emotive and divisive and prompted civil war.
This did not mean that southern Ireland was not interested in the British monarchy. The interest has always been there and has remained - 1.3m people in Ireland watched the recent wedding of Kate and William.
Royal fascination Historically, the enthusiasm with which royals such as Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and King George V were greeted surpassed expectations and hostile nationalist opinion.
The geographic and cultural closeness of Britain and Ireland, the constant traffic of people between the two islands, the formal Act of Union of 1800, Dublin's one time status as a significant city in the British Empire and the desire for some pomp and pageantry on its streets meant that there was a continued fascination with the royal family. Continued