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Mr. Brian Hayes, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), together with the new British Ambassador, His Excellency Dominick Chilcott today opened an exhibition in Dublin Castle to mark the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Ireland in 2011.

Speaking about the exhibition Minister Hayes said: “Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Ireland last year was hugely significant for relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom. I think it is generally acknowledged that the visit was a resounding success and I was honoured today to open this exhibition, together with His Excellency Ambassador Dominick Chilcott, to mark the first anniversary of the visit.”

The Minister continued: “The exhibition is open to the public, free of charge, in Dublin Castle’s Chapel Royal. The Chapel Royal itself is an architecturally significant venue, designed by Francis Johnson, who also designed the GPO, and served as the Lord Lieutenant’s official chapel until 1922. We chose Dublin Castle as the venue for this exhibition because it was the venue for the State banquet at which Queen Elizabeth spoke the now famous lines ‘a Úachtaráin, agus a chairde’, that so resonated with the Irish public. ”

The Minister concluded: “the exhibition contains 6 large scale displays, featuring photo and video montages of highlights of the Queen’s visit, in particular her attendance at sites managed by the Office of Public Works, including Áras an Úachtaráin, the Garden of Remembrance, the War Memorial Gardens, Farmleigh, Dublin Castle and the Rock of Cashel.  There are displays of replica artefacts such as the 16th century Queen Elizabeth 1st Irish Primer, the Cashel Crozier and a replica of the place setting and menu from the State banquet in Dublin Castle and the signed Visitors’ Book. I would strongly urge anyone with an interest in the Queen’s visit to come along to this easily-accessible, city centre location to view this interesting exhibition.”

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Note for Editors:- The Chapel Royal is located in the Lower Yard of Dublin Castle, on the left hand side as you walk towards the gates into the Upper Yard.  Easiest access is by the Dame Street Gate.

For further information or if you wish to interview Minister of State Hayes please contact Neil Ryan, OPW Press Officer at 046 9426128 or 087 9475552 or