Irish President Makes Historic State Visit
Ninety-two years after Ireland gained independence, its president is paying a historic state visit to the United Kingdom.
Getting to know the neighbors, three years ago the queen became the first British monarch to visit Ireland since it gained its independence.Michael D Heigans who has met her informally would be the first Irish president to receive a state welcome.
It becoming a model relationship between two neighboring countries. We are very close, respectful neighbors. And I think the relationship that we are building and working on is one I think that given our very complex history, is one that many people thoughout the world will be able to draw some inspiration from.
The royal tour built bridges. The Majesty spoke in Irish and commemorated those who had fought for freedom.
The queen's respectful tribute here in Ireland Garden Of Remembrance was hugely symbolic and will be reciprocated when president Heigans unearth the British dead at the tomb of warriors in Westminster Abbey.
He addressed a state banquet at Winser castle where Shinphon is on the guest list.The former IOA chief ,non-Northern-Ireland deputy first minister, shook the queen's hand once before.
Professor Heenan, who served on the president council of state, said Anglo-Irish relationship has been transformed.
It's about promoting good relations, but also about saying to the world that we are actually more interested in our commonality, our common love of culture and politics, our common economic interests rather than the focus which has generally been what divides us.
It's no routine flight for the head of the state. He is not just crossing the sea, he is crossing a historic divide.