Seems Lizzy's on the way...

**TheBoss** · 17/05/2011, 12:56 AM

Originally Posted by The Fly

They attended her inauguration at Dublin Castle in 2003, and have made many visits to �ras an Uachtar�in. So...its just building bridges 'n all, I suppose.

As per wiki

The Ulster Defence Association (UDA) is a loyalist paramilitary and vigilante group in Northern Ireland......It is classified as a terrorist group in the United Kingdom.

On that basis, it is surprising that IRA were not invited at the recent royal wedding.

**DannyInvincible** · 17/05/2011, 7:18 AM

The first coded bomb warning by dissident republicans given outside of Ireland in ten years was received in London yesterday, although it appears that nothing has yet become of it. In Maynooth, a viable device was made safe after it was uncovered last night, however: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13421393

A bomb has been made safe following a security alert in Maynooth, County Kildare, in the Irish Republic.

The viable device was discovered on a bus outside the Glen Royal Hotel on Monday night.

Around 30 people were on board when the device was found at 2130 BST. All were safely taken off the bus and transported to Dublin in another bus.

The device was later made safe by an Irish army bomb disposal team.

Presumably, both incidents relate directly to the events of later today. Interesting day ahead then...

Otherwise, descendants of some of the 1916 rebels have had their say on the royal visit: http://www.independent.ie/national-n...t-2648208.html

Descendants of Ireland's 1916 rebel leaders have branded the Queen's visit bizarre and inappropriate.

James Connolly-Heron, great-grandson of Irish Labour Party founder James Connolly, said the historic visit is full of contradictions.

...

Mr Connolly-Heron said: "The places that she is visiting, the Garden of Remembrance and Croke Park, it's very inappropriate and insensitive. The Garden of Remembrance honours all those who fought and died for Irish freedom and that's where the Queen will be laying a wreath. But that dream has not been realised.

"There's a contradiction there. Given that the Queen of England still occupies part of this island is it not strange that she is honouring those who fought and died? I don't think we are at the stage for that sort of recognition.

"The itinerary is very strange. We have a strange image of the Queen laying a wreath in honour of those patriots. Is the Queen in favour of Irish unity?"

'Tis a peculiar thought indeed.

**DannyInvincible** · 17/05/2011, 8:22 AM

Another device - this one a hoax - just cleared up on the red Luas line: http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0517/device.html

**BonnieShels** · 17/05/2011, 8:35 AM

The amount of Garda� around town is something else.

Whilst on the face of it her visit to the gardens mightn't make political sense. Ye all know she'd've been lambasted for not heading to there or Croker.

The thing is. She's going there as an acknowledgment of a major part of Irish history. She's not going to show off her nationalist credentials.

The '16 relatives really are an insufferable shower. Roll on 2016...

**DannyInvincible** · 17/05/2011, 10:10 AM

Bit excessive?

**Eminence Grise** · 17/05/2011, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

The '16 relatives really are an insufferable shower. Roll on 2016...

Some of them certainly are. But I think that the media go out of their way to find them! I know (some well, some in passing) descendants of five or so fairly prominent men who were "out" from 1916-23 and for the most part they're rational, thoughtful and not prone to giving out whenever a journalist rings up. So far as I know, they're not opposed to the visit on any ideological or "DNA" grounds, and like most of us don't see the visit as a threat or repudiation of the republic. Sadly, such views don't make good press.

I'm also looking forward to the Centenary. It's long past time we revisited what 1916 means.

**DannyInvincible** · 17/05/2011, 10:57 AM

Bomb alert in Belfast now: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-13422894

The Victoria Square shopping complex in Belfast city centre has been evacuated in a bomb scare.

It follows reports that a suspicious device was discovered there on Tuesday morning.

**passinginterest** · 17/05/2011, 11:22 AM

Bomb alerts all over the place according to the RTE updates. Fairview at 11.30, then one of the gates to Phoenix Park at 12.00. It's going to be a long day.

**DannyInvincible** · 17/05/2011, 12:21 PM

Updates:

Originally Posted by RT�

1307 Scuffles have broken out on O'Connell Street as garda� try to remove protesters from near The Spire.
1300 There are security alerts at Phoenix Park Station and Drogheda Station, according to Iarnr�d �ireann.

**Rasputin** · 17/05/2011, 2:09 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

If Britain chooses to have a monarch to represent them, then who are we to quibble?

This one of my favourite lines of arguement at the minute.
The very point is that the people of England DONT get to choose if they have a monarchy.
If the monarchy was elected it would stop being the monarchy, that is the paradox.
The monarchy is not a democratically elected institution so calling up some subjective interpretation of English support for the monarchy is irrelevant since it is not put to the people of England to decide.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 17/05/2011, 2:31 PM

according to RTEs web coverage four journalists turned up to cover a planned RSF demonstration only to find that they themselves were the only people who bothered showing up.

**Magicme** · 17/05/2011, 4:23 PM

Even Monaghan Courthouse had a bomb scare. Clever people. "The brits blew up the middle of our town 37 years ago, we will protest by blowing it up ourselves. That will show the feckers." Genius.

Makes me sooooooo mad. To add insult to injury, outside the courthouse is the monument to those killed in the Monaghan bombings and they use there to have a bomb scare? Incredible logic.

**awec** · 17/05/2011, 4:27 PM

Logic and these people tend not to go hand in hand Magicme.

**Magicme** · 17/05/2011, 4:54 PM

Too true. And having seen the pics of the eirigi loons I cant help but think the level of muggings, robberies and drug related crimes are at an all time low today as they are all busy sitting in Parnell Square. Thank you Lizzy.

**awec** · 17/05/2011, 5:18 PM

See these protestors, do they not see the irony in holding Brits out signs whilst wearing the colours of a british football club (Celtic) ?

Theres a photo on the BBC website of a protestor in a United top

**Magicme** · 17/05/2011, 5:30 PM

As long as its not a Monaghan United Jersey I dont care!

**boovidge** · 17/05/2011, 5:58 PM

Originally Posted by Rasputin

This one of my favourite lines of arguement at the minute.
The very point is that the people of England DONT get to choose if they have a monarchy.
If the monarchy was elected it would stop being the monarchy, that is the paradox.
The monarchy is not a democratically elected institution so calling up some subjective interpretation of English support for the monarchy is irrelevant since it is not put to the people of England to decide.

The other paradox being that those who call for an elected head of state in England for the sake of democracy know full well that If there were to be a democratic referendum with the question "should we retain the monarchy or become a republic?" the monarchy would win hands down.

**Spudulika** · 17/05/2011, 7:15 PM

Is there, by any chance, a possibility that some of the "bomb threats" are like those we had phoned in the odd time in school in the late 80's when some 6th years 3 streamers decided to go on the batter?

Major coverage around the world on Ireland, I caught CNN of the Queen looking confused with a Nordie and a Bogger speaking, she presumed, some form of her english. As far away as Kyrgyzstan the visit is front page news. Well, that and a constitutional fight between the ousted and current presidents.

Not really sure if the visit is up to much, I'd go with what Gerry Adams wrote in the Examiner, that it's a bit patronising to say it shows our maturity, and that (as I heard some people on Newstalk last weekend) that the British have pumped in money to help our economy. Out country isn't mature, we're more english than the english. And the british government know that they have to give us money to support their businesses plundering our economy and prop up their own banks. If it brings some positive publicity, then why not.

**horton** · 17/05/2011, 7:28 PM

Brilliant photo, grey haired man decides to go protest about Britain in Ireland wearing a British football top. Younger looking fella with his back to his camera decides to stock up on Dennys ham before joining said protest. You don't get Dennys in Dublin do ya? Genius!

**paudie** · 17/05/2011, 7:38 PM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

The amount of Garda� around town is something else.

Whilst on the face of it her visit to the gardens mightn't make political sense. Ye all know she'd've been lambasted for not heading to there or Croker.The thing is. She's going there as an acknowledgment of a major part of Irish history. She's not going to show off her nationalist credentials.

The '16 relatives really are an insufferable shower. Roll on 2016...

AFAIK all visiting heads of state lay a wreath at the Garden. She had to go really.