Madam, – I would like to challenge some of the comments regarding the visit of Queen Elizabeth to this state as written by Seanán Ó Coistín (March 10th). Unlike your letter writer I firmly welcome the royal visit on a number of points.
It shows to ourselves and indeed the world that we have finally evolved into a modern, outward looking nation. Our biggest trading and cultural partner is Great Britain and despite years of conflict both peoples have got on with life in a positive and productive fashion. Mr O’Coistin’s views are, I feel, a throw-back to a republicanism no longer valid in this country. His assertion that the majority do not want this visit is wrong and does he not realise that the province that he claims to be occupied, is in fact a part of this island where the majority wish to be British and whose legal existence is enshrined in the Belfast Agreement. An agreement finalised by the political party that Mr Ó Coistín is a member of.
Her Majesty has long expressed a desire to visit here, but due to republican violence in the main, could not. Her sister, Margaret, was a frequent visitor, as was her husband’s uncle, Earl Mountbatten of Burma until his cruel murder by the IRA. I firmly believe that the queen will be welcomed and her visit will do more for tourism than any other promotion as the world media will cover this wonderful occasion.
President Kennedy was a consummate politician and played, I feel, to his core vote in laying a wreath to the leaders of the 1916 rebellion. Mr Ó Coistín makes no mention of the royal family’s continued interest in the various Irish regiments within her majesty’s armed forces, with the future king, Prince William recently appointed as colonel in chief of the Irish Guards – nor indeed in the charitable works that help relatives of former Irish service personnel through the Royal British Legion.
I would further clarify that France, having surrendered in May 1940, was divided into German-occupied France and the Vichy control France, a puppet state that happily, for example, carried out pogroms on its Jewish population. This dangerous allusion to the royal family as somehow similar to the Nazis is bizarre in the extreme. Her majesty herself served during the second World War and alongside her father and mother remained in London and stood shoulder to shoulder with Londoners during the terrible blitz campaign. Her husband, Prince Philip was also a decorated naval officer.
The Republic is a wonderful country and is made up of different views and peoples. Its varied history continues to stimulate debate, but it is time to throw off the shackles of republicanism, and celebrate and embrace the upcoming visit of her majesty Queen Elizabeth. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – With regard to the forthcoming visit of Queen Elizabeth to Dublin, Terry Saunders writes of “Britain’s role in our unsavoury history . . .”. I was there as a 13-year-old boy on the streets of Derry when British paras murdered 14 innocent boys and men. Unsavoury, as a description, seems a little understated. Queen Elizabeth knighted the British army commander-in-chief for his role that day.
Since then – and before – there have been many awful incidents involving both sides, but I would remind Mr Saunders and others who welcome the queen, the British never had and never will have a right to armed occupation of any part of Ireland. If the visit is another step towards conflict resolution then it is to be welcomed, but the queen herself must also play her part and apologise to the Irish nation for many years of unsavoury interference in our affairs. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Notwithstanding the controversy of a proposed State visit by Queen Elizabeth to Ireland in May or June, perhaps some consideration should be given to the striking of a commemorative medal to mark the occasion? On previous royal visits, medals had been awarded to members of the RIC and Dublin Metropolitan Police (1900, 1903 and 1911).
Now that Ireland is an independent republic, a medal which recognises the historic nature of this visit and the “duality” of the republican and monarchist traditions in Ireland would be a fitting souvenir of this unique occasion. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – As a proud Irish citizen who wholeheartedly embraces the Belfast accord, I would like to point out that Queen Elizabeth remains an important symbol of identity for many of our compatriots. The unity of our country does not just depend on the British acknowledging its historic mistakes. It also depends on those of us in the majority accepting what “parity of esteem” means.
We need to begin to see ourselves in this wider vision. I can see the day when Gerry Adams as Uachtaráin na hÉireann welcomes Queen Elizabeth as head of the Commonwealth in which a united Ireland is again a member. – Yours, etc,