State Visit of Queen Elizabeth II - Outline Media Operational Note and Programme

H.M. Queen Elizabeth II accompanied by H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh will pay a State visit to Ireland at the invitation of President Mary McAleese.   The visit will take place from Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 May 2011.  

An outline programme for the visit and information on arrangements for media covering the event are set out below.  Additional details will be circulated to accredited journalists in advance of the visit.  

PRESS CENTRES

Press Centres will be available in Dublin and separately for the Cashel and Cork elements of the programme.  The Dublin Press Centre will be located in Dublin Castle.  It will be open for accredited journalists from 09.00 hours on Monday 16 May and will remain open during the course of the visit. 

All accredited journalists will be provided with a Press Pack which will include briefing material and background information on the programme for the visit.  Information Desks will be set up at the Press Centres to provide additional information and assistance.  In addition, briefings will be organised during the course of the visit.

ACCREDITATION

Applications for accreditation will be accepted from today, 20 April, until noon on Wednesday 11 May.  Applications can be made using the attached on-line form https://press.dfa.ie/uk.  Badges will be available for collection at the accreditation offices in the Press Centres.  Details on this and other relevant points will be transmitted along with confirmation of accreditation requests. 

POOLING

Logistical and security considerations require the implementation of media pool arrangements throughout the programme.  Further details of these will be provided upon accreditation.  Facilities will be in place so that all accredited journalists may avail of pool broadcasts, official photography and reporting.  It will not be possible to accommodate all requests. 

TRANSPORT

For events taking place in Dublin and Kildare, transport will be provided from the Press Centre in Dublin Castle to each event for journalists pooled to cover that event.  These journalists will be provided with return transport to Dublin Castle.   Similar arrangements will apply for the Cashel and Cork events.   Media arriving independently at venues will not be given access and no local facilities will be provided. 

BROADCAST VEHICLES

All broadcast vehicles which are required for use on secure sites must be security-cleared in advance of being positioned at the media centres or event sites.  It is anticipated that vehicles will be screened at Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, from Monday 16 May at 09.00.  It should be noted that not all requests can be complied with due to space restrictions at the various events.  Enquiries about access for broadcast vehicles should be addressed by e-mail to Detective Inspector Michael J. Heffernan at Michael.J.Heffernan@garda.ie.

ACCOMMODATION AND TRAVEL

Ireland’s central tourism portal www.discoverireland.com  is available to assist the media in making travel and accommodation arrangements. 

CONTACT NUMBERS ETC…

For further information, journalists may contact the media accreditation office of the Department of Foreign Affairs at +353 1 4082051/2052/2054.

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Outline Media Programme

Tuesday, 17th May (all events from midday)
 

Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel

Arrival  

Áras an Uachtaráin

Ceremonial welcome

Meeting with President and Dr. McAleese 

Tree Planting Ceremony      

Garden of Remembrance

Wreath Laying Ceremony

Trinity College

View Book of Kells

Reception in the Long Room

Wednesday, 18^th May

a.m.       Guinness Storehouse                                                                                                   

“Windows” Tour of Dublin

Government Buildings

Greeted by the Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny T.D.  

p.m.       Irish War Memorial Garden, Islandbridge           

Wreath Laying Ceremony

Croke Park                                                                                                                       

Visit to stadium and meeting with Gaelic Athletic Association members

Dublin Castle                                                                                                                      

State Dinner                      

Thursday, 19th May

a.m.       National Stud Kildare                                                                                                   

Visit and meeting with industry representatives 

Farmleigh House

Reception with members of Gaisce – The President’s Award (H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh only).

p.m.       Dublin Venue (to be announced)

A celebration of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II’s State visit to Ireland hosted by the British Embassy.         

Friday, 20^th May

a.m.       St. Patrick’s Rock, Cashel

Tour of St. Patrick’s Rock

p.m.       English Market, Cork

Meet with traders                     
                                                     

Tyndall National Institute, Cork

Visit research facility and reception

Cork Airport

Departure