Queen Elizabeth to visit Ireland in May

LONDON, April 7 (UPI) -- Queen Elizabeth II will be in Ireland May 17-20, Buckingham Palace said Thursday in announcing the schedule for the trip.

The state visit is the first to Dublin by a reigning British monarch since 1911 and the first since Ireland became independent almost 90 years ago. Prince Philip, 89, will accompany his wife, Sky News reported.

The schedule includes visits to locations that were important during Ireland's struggle for independence. The queen will be the guest of honor at a state dinner at Dublin Castle, the British headquarters until 1922, and will visit Croke Park, where 14 people were killed on Bloody Sunday in 1920 in retribution for the killing earlier that day of British agents.

The queen is to be welcomed by Irish President Mary McAleese and will meet Prime Minister Enda Kenny.

The trip will have its lighter side. The royal couple, both known for their love of horses, will visit the Irish National Stud and the Guinness Storehouse, a tourist attraction devoted to Guinness.