PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins has responded to a letter from Queen Elizabeth in an exchange of warm greetings ahead of St Patrick's Day.
Earlier this week, the queen of the UK, Elizabeth II, issued a letter to the President of Ireland wishing him and all of Ireland a happy St Patrick's Day.
In the letter, the 94-year-old wrote:
"On the occasion of your National Day, I would like to convey to Your Excellency my congratulations, together with my best wishes to the people of Ireland.
"This year marks ten years since my visit to Ireland, which I remember fondly, and marks a significant centenary across these islands", referring to the end of Ireland's War of Independence and the creation of Northern Ireland in 1921.
DUBLIN, IRELAND - MAY 18: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh are presented with a hurley during a visit to Croke Park on May 18, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Irish Government - pool/Getty Images)She continued: "We share ties of family, friendship and affection-- the foundation of our partnership that remains as important today as ten years ago."
The queen finished the letter by writing in Irish: "Lá Fhéile Pádraid sona daoibh go léir"-- Happy St Patrick's Day to you all.
The historic visit Queen Elizabeth refers to is the State visit to Ireland in 2011, in which she and Prince Philip visited Dublin, Kildare, Tipperary and Cork, including memorials to those who died for Irish freedom.
It was the first visit by a reigning British monarch to Ireland for 100; the last being King George V in 1911 when Ireland was still under the rule of the British Empire.
President Higgins shared the message from Queen Elizabeth on his official social media channels, and published his own response which extended "my warmest appreciation for your good wishes on our national day".
"Your special memory of your visit to Ireland ten years ago this year, is one that is shared and invoked regularly by all of us in Ireland, being as it was in its generosity of spirit such a moment of healing.
Queen Elizabeth II and President of Ireland Michael D Higgins at Windsor Castle during the first official visit by the head of state of the Ireland to Britain.
"It has done so much to deepen our shared sense of the breadth and vibrancy of the connection between our two countries at every level. It will continue to inspire the achievement of those possibilities in the future that we might share.
He continued:
"We know St Patrick's Day will be celebrated in the hearts of generations of Irish people who have made their home in Britain, and their British friends and family-- as well as by the many British people who have happily made their home here.
"I know that the movement and circulation of our peoples is a source of continuing joy for us both."
President Higgins signed off in Irish, "Guím Lá Fhéila Pádraig sona agus síochánta ort agus ar do mhuintir" -- I pray for a happy and peaceful St Patrick's Day for you and your family.
