Queen Victoria’s final arrival in Ireland, 4th April 1900

Despite sitting on the British throne for over 63 years, Queen Victoria only visited Ireland four times throughout her life. Having visited in 1849, 1853 and 1861, Victorias final visit in April 1900 is perhaps the most poignant as it took place less than a year before the iconic monarch passed away. Throughout her long reign, Queen Victoria witnessed countless wars, including the Second Boer War, which began in October 1899 and lasted until May 1902. Interested in the war effort, in February 1900 Queen Victoria met a fourteen-year- old bugler named James Dunne, who had been wounded in the arm and chest while serving with The Royal Dublin Fusiliers in Colenso. As a Queen, mother and grandmother, Victoria found herself shaken by what she has witnessed. By mid-March there had been further reports on attacks on her Irish troops, many of which had been fatally wounded. Wanting to show her support, the eighty-year-old Queen decided that she would “pay a visit to Ireland to thank those brave Irishmen” by completing a tour of the country.

Victoria, who was almost completely blind and limited to a ‘rolling chair’, arrived at Kingstown Harbour at 11:30am on 4th April 1900 with her two daughters, Princesses Helena and Beatrice. To “commemorate the gallantry” of the Irish soldiers, all three of the royals wore bunches of shamrock. In addition to this, Queen Victoria’s bonnet and parasol had been embroidered either silver shamrocks specially for the occasion.

Upon their arrival, the group of royal women were greeted by Prince Arthur, his wife, and their three children. Also in attendance were Lord and Lady Cadogan, who were hosting the Queen; Lord Dufferin and Lord Meath. The royal party then mounted into their carriages and onto their horses before the Queen was presented with a short address from the chairman and councillors of Kingstown. A procession consisting of four carriages was then escorted by The King’s Dragoon Guards to Ball’s Bridge, where the “travelling escort was replaced by a Sovereign’s escort of Life Guards, & a large number of military & other mounted officers”. In her journal, Queen Victoria described how the route was crowded with thousands of people, who were “cheering loudly”.

At Leeson Bridge a temporary replica of Baggotrath Castle had been built so that Victoria could experience “the ancient custom” of passing through the gates to the city of Dublin. Queen Victoria described the moment in her journal:

“The gates were closed till the Procession approached when Athlone Pursuivant at arms advanced saying “I demand to be admitted to the presence of the Lord Mayor.” At the same moment the bugler on the top of the arch blew a blast. Art passed in & the gates were reclosed. Bowing to the Ld Mayor he said “My Lord Mayor of Dublin I seek admission to the City of Dublin for Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, The Ld Mayor replying “On Behalf of the city I tender to Her Majesty the most hearty welcome to this ancient City & on her arrival the gate shall be thrown open on the instant.”

Following this the gates were opened and Victoria’s carriage passed through before stopping beside the Lord Mayor, aldermen and councillors. They then presented her with the twelve city keys, which dated back 600 years. After this, the Lord Mayor presented the “city sword” before an address was read aloud and presented to the Queen in a golden casket. Victoria then replied saying: “I thank you for your loyal address & this hearty reception. I am very glad to find myself again in Ireland”.

The procession continued for another two and a half hours, passing several thousands of onlookers from all social classes. As the Queen’s carriage passed Trinity College its students proudly sang the national anthem before cheering until their voices were hoarse. the Queen writes that many of the passing cheers turned into screams, “even the nationalists in front of the City Hall seemed to forget their politics & cheered & waved their hats”. Despite the overwhelming noise, Victoria seemed overjoyed with the reception she received, describing it as “wonderful” and “most gratifying”.

At the end of the procession the royal entourage were greeted by Lord and Lady Cadogan at the Viceregal Lodge in Phoenix Park, Dublin. Unable to walk, Victoria was rolled to the bottom of the stairs and from here she was carried up to her suite of rooms. The royal party remained here every night after parading around Ireland during the daytime until they eventually returned to England on 26th April.

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