Belgian royals to visit Ireland

The king and queen of Belgium are paying a three-day state visit to Ireland next week.

The king and queen of Belgium are paying a three-day state visit to Ireland next week.

King Albert II and Queen Paola will meet President Mary McAleese, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Pat Moylan and Dublin lord mayor Paddy Bourke.

They will lay a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance and also visit the National Museum and Leinster House.

Tours of Trinity College, the GPO, the Spire and Fitzwilliam Square are also on the itinerary.

Queen Paola will visit St Ciaran's National School in Hartstown in West Dublin accompanied by local TD and Minster of State for Integration Conor Lenihan.

Travelling to the Mid-West on Wednesday, the royals will visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and the Cliffs of Moher before returning home.

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