20/05/2011 00:00:00
Images of some of Ireland’s leading conference venues were beamed around the world this week as the world’s media trains its eye on Queen Elizabeth II’s State visit to Ireland.
On Thursday night the royal visitors were guests of honour at a concert in the Convention Centre Dublin (the CCD) showcasing the best of Irish culture. Ireland’s national conference centre, which is less than a year old, played host to over 2,000 guests.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have already visited the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College Dublin, Croke Park and Dublin Castle. However, it is not just venues that the Queen has enjoyed. In the opening line of a landmark speech at a State dinner at Dublin Castle Wednesday night, the Queen remarked on witnessing for herself Irish hospitality.
“A Uachtaráin agus a chairde [Dear president and friends], Prince Philip and I are delighted to be here, and to experience at first hand Ireland’s world-famous hospitality,” she said.
The CCD was the chosen venue for a special event by the British Embassy on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during their first State visit to Ireland.
This historic event, on Thursday, also marked the CCD’s 250th event and included a reception for 2,000 guests across its five foyers.
“For the past six weeks we have been working closely with The Convention Centre Dublin to deliver a special event to celebrate The Queen’s visit to Ireland,” said Julian King, British Ambassador to Ireland.
“With its stunning foyers overlooking the River Liffey and Dublin City, the CCD is a wonderful venue for our multi-faceted event, which includes a reception for 2,000 guests, a fashion show and a concert of Irish music, dance and theatre.”
The event featured a fashion show showcasing the best in Irish and British fashion and a cultural and musical concert in its 2,000-seater auditorium. There were performances from famous Irish acts including Riverdance.
“We have certainly come a long way in just over eight months since our opening last September,” said Nick Waight, CEO, the CCD. “We hit our 250th event milestone and we are incredibly honoured and proud to be hosting such a high profile event on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh. This event will also help to showcase Ireland as the world’s media attention focuses on this historic occasion.”
To date, over 76,000 guests have attended events hosted at the CCD. Since its opening, the CCD has hosted a variety of events including international conferences and prestigious banqueting events.
The CCD has also secured and confirmed a broad selection of events up until 2015, including Project Management Institute EMEA Global Congress, International Congress on Accident & Emergency Medicine, Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution, TM Forum - Management World Conference, International Statistical Institute Conference, 7th European Course on Clinical Cytometry, Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain & Ireland Conference, European Seating Symposium, Orthopaedic Association Conference , International Pharmaceutical Federation Conference and Exhibition, European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology, International Bar Association and The Nutcracker, performed by The Moscow Ballet.
Photo of Queen Elizabeth II at the Guinness Storehouse courtesy of MerrionStreet.ie