Queen offers sympathy to Irish victims of troubles

UK Prime Minister David Cameron was present at the state dinner, after earlier flying in and holding talks with the prime minister, Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

“As so often, her majesty has been able to put things and say things and do things in a way that massively strengthens the relationship,” Mr Cameron said.

Mr Kenny said: “I think it was a remarkable contribution in what is a remarkable state visit.

“I think people were very taken by the extent of her words and the clarity and ringing tone in which she said them.”

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, whose party did not attend the dinner, said he believed that the Queen’s expression of sympathy was genuine.

But he added: “Queen Elizabeth’s acknowledgement that the relationship between Britain and Ireland has not been entirely benign is a gross understatement.

“This will be forgiven if the future policy of her government is about building an entirely new future based on genuine equality, and mutual respect.”

In the afternoon, the Queen was welcomed in Croke Park by Gaelic Athletic Association president Christy Cooney, who said her presence was an “honour” and the visit would underpin and advance the peace process and “go down in the history of the GAA”.

On 21 November 1920, during the War of Independence, 13 spectators and one player were killed when British forces opened fire at a football match at the home of Gaelic sports.

Earlier that day, IRA assassination squads had shot dead 14 suspected British intelligence agents in Dublin.

Before going to Croke Park, the Queen laid a wreath honouring almost 50,000 soldiers at the Irish National War Memorial.