President Obama hosts star-studded farewell dinner

US President Barack Obama has hosted a dinner in honour of the Queen at the end of his state visit to the UK.

The president and his wife Michelle organised the intimate evening as a thank-you to the Queen for Tuesday's state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

It was held in London at the official home of the US ambassador to Britain.

Oscar winners Tom Hanks and Colin Firth, England footballer David Beckham and Harry Potter author JK Rowling were among the guests.

While the state banquet on Tuesday night had been a white-tie affair, the dress code for the Obamas' dinner was black tie.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were welcomed when they arrived by the Obamas. The two couples greeted each other warmly, shaking hands, and exchanging smiles and a few words before posing for the waiting international media.

The Queen wore an Angela Kelly white evening dress with gold and silver sequins, and an emerald necklace and matching earrings.

Mrs Obama was dressed in a black off-the-shoulder dress, and wore what appeared to be a diamond necklace and matching bracelet.

The two heads of state led the way through the residence's entrance, which was flanked by two US marines.

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Queen to visit emotive Croke Park stadium

The Queen is to visit sports stadium Croke Park in Dublin, where 14 spectators were killed by British forces more than 90 years ago.

On her second day in the Republic of Ireland, she will also attend a service honouring Ireland's war dead.

Later at a banquet at Dublin Castle, she will make her only public speech.

She is likely to acknowledge past difficulties, but is unlikely to apologise for past behaviour, BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said.

Wednesday will start with a trip to tourist attraction the Guinness Storehouse, but later the Queen will move on to Croke Park in inner city north Dublin, the home of gaelic sports.

The spectators were killed by British forces during the War of Independence in November 1920.

BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt described it as "the once unimaginable becoming the norm" when the Queen will walk on hallowed nationalist turf at Croke Park.

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Ireland beefs up security for Queen's trip

The largest security operation in the Republic of Ireland's history is underway amid fears dissident republicans will try to disrupt the Queen's historic four-day visit.

The royal state visit, which starts on Tuesday, is the first by a British sovereign to the south of Ireland since it gained independence from Britain in 1922.

Armed British police officers will patrol the streets alongside thousands of gardai (Irish police) and soldiers to protect the 85-year-old monarch and the Duke of Edinburgh as they travel around the republic.

The massive security operation is focusing on potential terrorist threats as well as plans for "a protest stunt" by breakaway factions opposed to the peace process.

The Queen's itinerary will take her to Dublin and counties Cork, Kildare and Tipperary.

It includes a visit to Croke Park, the scene of a massacre by British troops in 1920, and a wreath laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin, which honours those who died for Irish freedom.

She will also pay tribute to the 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in World War I at the Irish National War Memorial Garden.

Events will be staged at Trinity College, the Guinness brewery in Dublin, the English Market in Cork, the Rock of Cashel in Tipperary and the world-renowned Thoroughbred racehorse Irish National Stud in Tipperary.

Irish president Mary McAleese said the visit was an extraordinary moment in the history of the island.

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http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/ireland-beefs-up-security-for-queens-trip-20110516-1ep6p.html