17 May 2011 Last updated at 18:52

In pictures: The Queen visits Ireland

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh are greeted by Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore (front) upon arrival at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, ahead of a four day state visit.

The Queen has spent the day in the Republic of Ireland, during the first visit by a British monarch. After flying into Baldonnel military air base, outside Dublin, for the four-day trip, the Queen emerged wearing the symbolic colour green.

Gardai make final preparations outside the General Post Office in Dublin city centre.

One of the Republic of Ireland's biggest security operations is in place, amid a rise in dissident republican violence. A bomb discovered on a bus outside the Glen Royal Hotel in Maynooth, County Kildare, was made safe just hours before the Queen's visit. Two other suspect packages, one near the Luas tram line at Inchicore and one in Fairview Park, turned out to be hoaxes.

The Queen was then escorted to Aras an Uachtarain, the official residence of the Irish president, in Dublin's Phoenix Park. The visit is taking place following President Mary McAleese's invitation. The Queen shook hands with Mrs McAleese at the front of the residence before moving inside to meet the Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Enda Kenny.

Queen Elizabeth inspects a Guard of Honour at the residence of the Irish President in Dublin.

An Irish army band played God Save the Queen followed by the Soldiers' Song, amid a 21-gun salute. The Queen then inspected the guard of honour before lunch with guests including John Hume and Lord Trimble - two politicians who have been vital to the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Irish Gardai clash with demonstrators during a protest in Dublin

As the Queen arrived at the Garden of Remembrance protesters faced police officers in riot gear who tried to push away the crowd.

Protesters push a burning rubbish bin towards riot police during a demonstration in north Dublin

During one demonstration in north Dublin, protesters pushed a burning rubbish bin towards riot police.

Empty streets as the Queen travels through the centre of Dublin

Much of the centre of Dublin was cordoned off, leaving many streets empty, as part of the strict security clampdown put in place for the visit.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Ireland's president Mary McAleese walk away after laying a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance, in Dublin.

The Queen laid a wreath completing one of the most controversial elements of the trip. The act is significant as the garden is dedicated to people who fought for Irish independence.

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh are told the story of the Book of Kells

As part of the visit, the Queen also went to Trinity College to be shown the Book of Kells, a 1,200-year-old illuminated manuscript in Latin, containing the four gospels of the New Testament.

In Pictures

In pictures: The Queen visits Ireland

Share this page

Services

About BBC News