The British monarchy have posted a tweet in Irish ahead of Irish President Michael D Higgins’ historic visit to the UK.
The tweet contained a link a blog post on the Irish President’s website detailing his forthcoming visit to the UK.
President Higgins will become the first ever Irish head of state to an official visit to Britain when he crosses the Irish Sea next month.
It follows the Queen’s visit to Ireland in 2011 when she became the first British monarch to make the journey in the opposite direction since Ireland became a republic.
The British and Irish have been keen to establish a positive relationship for many years. At least 10% of British citizens have Irish heritage following centuries of emigration.
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kelly said: “This is a further demonstration of the warm and positive relationship that now exists between Ireland and the United Kingdom.”
Earlier this week the Queen held a reception at Buckingham Palace for members of Britain’s Irish community who have made a significant contribution to British culture.
Now on the official British monarchy Twitter page they have reached out to the people of Ireland by posting the tweet about next month’s visit in Irish.
The tweet read: ‘Sonraí na Cuairte Stáit deimhnithe ag Pálás Buckingham, chéad chuairt ar an Ríocht Aontaithe ag Uachtarán ar Éirinn: https://bit.ly/1p6cmCk’
It translates roughly as: ‘Details certified for the State Visit to Buckingham Palace, the first official visit to the UK by a President of Ireland: https://bit.ly/1p6cmCk’
President Higgins is expected to visit the Queen at Windsor Castle and Prime Minister David Cameron at Downing Street, as well as addressing the British Parliament, during he stay in the UK.
