VOX POP: As the Queen's visit heads into its final day tomorrow, citizens had some regrets they didn't see more of her in the capital, even if the tight security caused them some inconvenience.
“Yesterday was a pain because I had to change my plans and I’m concerned about travelling out on the Naas road this evening,” said Emma Edmond, an interior designer from Ashford Co Wicklow.
“But I think it would have been less of an inconvenience to everyone if she made a public appearance. When JFK landed in the sixties it was the people who lined the streets, not the guards, I hope I actually get to see Obama,” she said.
“Looking at her last night was monumental,” said Anne Clarke from Raheny. “It’s an honour to have her here and it will do marvellous things for this country but I do think the public deserved an opportunity to greet her,” she said.
A long line of tourists patiently queued outside the Old Library at Trinity College today, where the Queen viewed the Book of Kells just two days ago, but the mood among the students seemed sombre.
“It’s been really difficult getting home after study and getting into college on time for exams over the past couple of days,” said Trinity student Ben Kirwin.
“Last night it seemed as though the buses just couldn’t take a right turn, when I asked the guard where the next bus was going he answered ‘I don’t have a clue’. We’re doing exams so every minute counts,” he said.
“To be honest I think her visit to Trinity was a hindrance, even though she literally stood where I’m standing now, I saw it through a screen. She could have been anywhere in the world.”
Although TCD and its students are proud of the images which travelled all across the globe – 95 countries to be exact – looking back some wish it was done differently.
“It’s a pity our students didn’t get the opportunity to say hello,” said Mark Hennessy, Department of Geography, TCD. “There was a big crowd of students locked behind a barrier and when she got out the car they let out a spontaneous cheer. Even though they were miles away it was lovely to hear and I was disappointed they couldn’t get closer.”
The Irish are not the only ones discouraged at the lack of contact between the Queen and the general public.
“It’s strange that the Queen of England was driving around the streets of Dublin for the past couple of days and only a few people got to see her,” said Katherine Dean, member of Africa’s Mali peace corps.
“I know there is a lot bad blood between the two islands but almost every country has bad blood with England, historical moments need to be celebrated by everyone, not just the elite.”
“We are leaving Dublin tomorrow and I feel like I’ve seen nothing, not even the Queen” said Grechen Dean, whose flying home to Ohio in the morning after her own four-day visit to the capital.
Having suffered delays and missing the Queen’s televised speech at last night’s banquet in Dublin Castle, student Anne-Marie McCarthy from Co Offaly was disheartened and out of pocket.
“I waited for an hour for the Luas last night and it was suspended just after I bought my ticket, I spent €6 and then I had to walk home, that’s all the Queen did for me,” she said.