Queen Visits Rock Of Cashel

The Queen and Prince Philip are flying to rural Tipperary and the city of Cork today to visit both a popular market and Ireland's most visited tourist site, the historic Rock of Cashel.

After a short helicopter trip, she will undertake the final day of her state visit to the Republic of Ireland, which has been hailed almost universally as a huge success despite minor trouble in Dublin and a huge security operation being put in place.

The Queen's final destination will be the English Market in Cork from where she will be taken to the regional airport to be flown back to London.

Last night's variety show at Dublin's National Convention Centre, - hosted by the British Embassy - saw the royal couple entertained by Irish folk band the Chieftains, Riverdance and X Factor's Mary Byrne as well as the Belfast Methodist College Choir.

Later, her smile was evidence of the relaxed nature of the trip as she went on to the stage where she met 'boy band' Westlife and won "the biggest cheer of the night" in her own right, according to the BBC coverage.

Queen Elizabeth II has received a very warm welcome throughout the trip.

It has also passed off with only a few minor scuffles between protesters and police with 12 people appearing in court in Dublin on Thursday night after Irish police recovered rockets, flares and fireworks.

The 11 men and one woman were arrested near the city's Connolly Station and it is alleged they were on their way to the Dublin Convention Centre where the concert was being held.

Even the Sinn Fein Leader Gerry Adams has responded with warmth, despite being the only Northern Ireland party to refuse to attend any of the royal events in Dublin.

While he said the relationship would "not be fully normalised while Ireland remained partitioned", he said the visit was "another page in the book" and added: "I was particularly taken by Queen Elizabeth's sincere expression of sympathy to all those who had suffered in the course of the conflict and I think that was very genuine."

Meanwhile, a reception for members of Gaisce - the Irish President's Award - which is similar to the UK's Duke Of Edinburgh Award scheme - was also held yesterday and attended by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh at Farmleigh House.

Prince Philip addressed members of Gaisce and the Irish Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald and Dr Lawrence Crowley, Chairman of Gaisce .

Food Accolade

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Northern food companies were among those selected to supply this week's historic state banquet in Dublin Castle.

The NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has congratulated two local companies who were selected to supply the banquet held in the Queen's honour as part of her first official visit to the Republic of Ireland.

Hosted by President Mary McAleese and attended by Prime Minister David Cameron, First Minister Peter Robinson and Republic of Ireland Prime Minister Enda Kenny, ingredients were on the menu from Kettyle Irish Foods, based in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh - who supplied dry-aged ribeye beef for the main course, and artisan bakery Ditty’s, based in Castledawson, Co Londonderry, supplied its Traditional Irish Oatcakes for the cheeseboard.

Last night, DUP Executive Minister Arlene Foster said: "The state banquet at Dublin Castle provided a unique opportunity for two Northern Ireland food companies to showcase their premium products to highly prestigious and influential guests.

"This was a tremendous endorsement, not just of Kettyle and Ditty's, but of our local food sector and the high quality of the produce.

"I have no doubt that the presence of Northern Ireland products at the banquet will encourage even greater interest in, and opportunities, for this important industry," she said.

(BMcC/GK)