During her state visit to Ireland in May 2011, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to address the Irish Parliament (Dáil Éireann). In her speech, the Queen expressed regret for past injustices and spoke of the importance of reconciliation. The address was a significant moment in British-Irish relations, symbolizing the normalization of ties between the two countries.

The Queen's address to the Dáil is a subject of political poetry, with writers reflecting on the symbolic importance of the event. The address is often contrasted with the history of conflict, creating a sense of reconciliation. The poetry of the period reflects the hope and optimism of the peace process, a theme that would persist in the literature of the 2010s.