QUEEN Elizabeth II is expected to visit Cork on the last day of her official state visit to Ireland. But some Irish people don't seem to be very enthusiastic about that. For instance, Sinn Féin said it will oppose the visit and stage protests and that "It will be a sad day for Cork if the visit happens". Historical reasons may explain such comments.
Since the visit of King George V in Dublin in 1911, no British monarch on official duty was back in the Irish capital. The bloody struggle for independence, from 1916 and the conflict between republicans and loyalists in Northern Ireland for over three decades had led to the present complicated relationships, even conflicting, with the English crown, long symbol of the oppression of the former British Empire.
What is more, for some people "The British monarchy is based on values of hierarchy, inequality and deference which have no place in a modern republic. I see no reason why this feudal relic should be invited to Cork, or feted at taxpayers’ expense."
Since the visit of King George V in Dublin in 1911, no British monarch on official duty was back in the Irish capital. The bloody struggle for independence, from 1916 and the conflict between republicans and loyalists in Northern Ireland for over three decades had led to the present complicated relationships, even conflicting, with the English crown, long symbol of the oppression of the former British Empire.
What is more, for some people "The British monarchy is based on values of hierarchy, inequality and deference which have no place in a modern republic. I see no reason why this feudal relic should be invited to Cork, or feted at taxpayers’ expense."
On top of that, after Eurovision results, loads of groups on facebook came up regarding how many points the UK gave to Ireland and vice versa. The UK gave 12 points to Ireland and Ireland gave 6 points to them.
"England: you owe us six points!!!! Ireland: You owe us six counties?!"
"What every Irish person was thinking during the UK votes: give us 12 or the queen gets it"
Nevertheless, some are PRO-Queen's visit and highlights the economic stakes this will involve.The city council’s head of corporate affairs, said it will boost the city’s national and international profile :"We are well used to state visits and will pull out all the stops. We are also very conscious that the UK is our biggest tourist market and we want to showcase the best of what the city has to offer," she said.
