Anne's Croke Trip Paves Way For Queen's Irish Visit

As The Queen prepares to make a ground-breaking first visit to Co Armagh next month - to distribute Maundy money at St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral - there was intense security at the weekend when the Princess Royal took the lead with an historic visit across the border.

Princess Anne became the first ever member of the Royal Family to enter Croke Park in Dublin — the bastion of Gaelic sport.

In what may have been seen as a 'test' for a later full visit by The Queen to the Irish Republic, the Princess attended to support the ultimately unsuccessful Scottish rugby team in their Six Nations clash with Ireland.

The security was noticeably higher than last February when the English rugby team played their first match at the ground, according to observers.

However, while dissident republicans threatened protest, only 20 to 30 people gathered outside the ground in opposition to the presence of British royalty.

The Princess took her seat four places away from Irish President Mary McAleese - who would host any official visit by Queen Elizabeth as head of state - and close to Irish premier Bertie Ahern and Northern Ireland Sports Minister Edwin Poots, who also travelled to Dublin for the match.

The GAA agreed to the use of Croke Park for rugby and football internationals while the Landsdowne Road ground in Dublin is redeveloped.

Die-hard republicans opposed to all things British opposed the move - both because it meant the playing of 'English' games on the GAA pitch and visits by English teams.

Despite that, teams and their supporters have been given warm welcomes an a spokeswoman for the Irish police said there had been no trouble whatsoever during the protest.

The visit by the Princess Royal was the latest in a growing number by members of the Royal Family which bring ever closer the day when the Queen will make a first visit.

It is increasingly being talked about but no date has been set.

(BMcC)