State visit to Ireland

The Royal Yacht Norge was used during the visit.

18 September 2006

The King and Queen met with President Mary McAleese and her husband, Dr. Martin McAleese. Following a private lunch with the president and her husband, the King and Queen laid a wreath in the Garden of Remembrance. They then met with several Irish public officials, including Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. The Queen attended the opening of an exhibition of Ibsen portraits by Håkon Gullvåg. In the evening President McAleese hosted a banquet for 150 guests at Dublin Castle.

19 September 2006

The day began with the opening of a veterinary conference at University College Dublin, where the King delivered the opening address. Following a meeting with the Lord Mayor of Dublin and his wife at Mansion House, the King and Queen were given a guided tour of the National Museum of Ireland and met briefly with Norwegian students. Later in the afternoon, the Queen made a presentation entitled “Impressions of Norway” at the Four Seasons Hotel.

20 September 2006

The King and Queen visited Cork. When the King disembarked from the Royal Yacht, he inspected the guard of honour from the Irish navy. Afterward the King and Queen visited the naval base at Haulbowline and the National Maritime College of Ireland, where they attended the conference entitled “Maritime Governance – Our Common Legacy”. Before lunch the King and Queen visited Cork City Hall and met with the Lord Mayor of Cork. The Queen presided over the opening of “Rhythm of Light”, an exhibition of Norwegian silver jewellery. In the evening the King and Queen hosted a farewell reception for 100 guests on board the Norge.