Ambassador Dan Mulhall reflects on the historic State Visit of President Higgins

15 April 2014

What an amazing week that was!  The best I have experienced during my long years in our diplomatic service. There were too many highlights to do them justice but here are a few of my favourite memories.

The President's speeches and the way he filled those great rooms at Westminster, Windsor and the Guildhall with his inspiring words. It was an imposing feat of oratory that impressed all who heard him.

The ceremonial arrival at Windsor made a powerful impact.  I was privileged to be present, alongside Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, when the Queen received our President with full formal pageantry.  It was quite something to hear our anthem played by British military bands along the streets of Windsor decked with the flags of both countries. I was especially pleased to see so many onlookers enthusiastically waving both flags. It was a compelling image of the fortunate era in which we now live on these islands.

The President's engagement with the Irish in Britain gave this visit a special flavour. Our community here is like no other in the world, part of the fabric of British life, but also deeply connected with home and proud of its Irishness.  This came out strongly during the past week.  I was particularly pleased that President Higgins paid tribute to the contribution of the Irish to the NHS by meeting with current medical staff and with retired nurses.

The great music and the joyous atmosphere created by the many Irish people in attendance at the Royal Albert Hall ensured that Ceiliúradh was a phenomenal success.  It was a most enjoyable way in which to celebrate the cultural ties between our two countries.

The warmth of the welcome extended to the President in Coventry, and the many people there who greeted him in Irish, made it a fitting place in which to bring this momentous visit to a close.

What does it all mean? It is, I believe, the culmination of decades during which our two countries have painstakingly tried to come to terms with the awkward legacies of our connected history.  Throughout that period, of course, relations with the UK continued to have many positive aspects. Britain was always a major market for Irish exports and Irish people continued over the decades to make their homes here and to be successful in every walk of life.  Yet, there remained a degree of political estrangement, but that has now been consigned to history.  At Head of State level, at Government level and at official level, relations between us have never been better.

Irish people who live here will be best placed to judge this, but I would say that our community here has benefited considerably from this visit. Not only was the contribution of the Irish in Britain acknowledged repeatedly by President Higgins, but also by the Queen during her well-chosen remarks at the State Banquet.

While this visit has closed the circle on a period of improving relations, it has also set the scene for further advances. I was struck by the Queen's comment that her family would stand beside the Irish Government in the years ahead in marking not just the centenary of the First World War, but also the events that preceded Irish independence.  This will highlight the fact that we are proudly separate, but also deeply connected and thoroughly respectful of each other.

Such a powerful demonstration of togetherness between Ireland and Britain will, I hope, have a positive effect on the continued pursuit of permanent peace and genuine reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

The visit should also provide added momentum to moves already underway to boost economic cooperation.  Our ties in trade, investment and tourism are currently very advanced and vital for both countries, but these can be taken further in the years ahead. The President's visit will provide generous inspiration for the continuing work of the Embassy and the Irish State agencies which make up Team Ireland in Britain.  On we go!

Dan Mulhall, Ambassador