merrion street

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 today opened an exhibition in Kilkenny 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 tremendous success and I am very pleased to be here in magnificent Kilkenny Castle today to open this exhibition marking the first anniversary of the visit.”

The Minister concluded: “The exhibition is open to the public, free of charge, in Kilkenny Castle’s Parade Tower. I would urge any members of the public who have some spare time to come into this beautiful venue and look through the exhibition which 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.”