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Mary Byrne is used to performing in front of smaller crowds, as well as the audience of 2,000 that will attend a bash thrown by Queen Elizabeth next week. Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland
queen's visit

Line-up confirmed for Queen's Visit bash at Conference Centre

Mary Byrne will lead the musical acts at the National Convention Centre, in a bash compered by RTÉ legend Gay Byrne.

THE BRITISH EMBASSY has confirmed the acts set to appear at the ‘return event’ being hosted by Queen Elizabeth at the National Convention Centre on the final night of her visit next week.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are hosting the event as a thank-you of sorts for the invite of President McAleese, in an event being organised by John McColgan, Gerald Heffernan, Norah Casey and event producer Harry Crosbie.

Among the acts confirmed by the embassy are X Factor finalist Mary Byrne, boy band Westlife, traditional outfit The Chieftains, former Eurovision winner Eimear Quinn, Riverdance and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Byrne said she was “so excited, and a little bit nervous to be honest” about the performance to an audience of 2,000 people including figures from the worlds of sport, politics, entertainment, business, charity and culture.

A fashion show will also be hosted as part of the event, featuring designs from Victoria Beckham as well as John Rocha, Louise Kennedy, Michael Leong and Marks & Spencer.

The British Embassy said the fashion show was a vital element of the show, given the importance of Irish fashion exports to the UK – which last year reached €219m. UK fashion imports to Ireland, meanwhile, reached £1.2bn.

Some of Ireland’s leading actors will also appear, giving readings from “the best of Ireland’s literary tradition”.

British ambassador to Ireland Julian King said he was delighted that so many stars were set to appear at the event, being held on May 19 to mark the final night of the Queen’s three-day stay in Ireland.