The leaders of the four main churches in Ireland - including Catholic Cardinal Sean Brady - came together at St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh, Ireland's ecclesiastical capital, to watch Her Majesty distribute Maundy Money at the traditional pre-Easter religious service.

It was the first time that the historical service, which dates back more than seven centuries, had taken place outside England or Wales.

It is understood that the Queen expressed a wish that it should take place in Northern Ireland and that it should be an inter-denominational event.

After the political row yesterday surrounding President Mary McAleese's remarks about a royal visit to the Republic, today's events provided a more harmonious conclusion to the Queen's three-day visit to the province.

Although security was high today, the royal visit - which was publicised by Buckingham Palace in advance - is seen as a signal of political change. It has been widely speculated that it could help pave the way for a royal visit to the Republic could follow later in the year.

Police checkpoints were set up 20 miles away from Armagh.

Airport-style security filtered hundreds of guests, media and their processions through the nearby Drumadd army barracks in preparation for the finale to the three-day visit by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Guests were ferried by bus from the barracks to the Church of Ireland cathedral, where workers spent days preparing for the historic occasion.

Outside, police with sniffer dogs checked premises and around the city teams of officers searched roadsides for suspicious devices and checked vehicles.

During the service the Queen distributed alms to 82 men and 82 women - the number dictated by her age. The recipients were selected from the four main denominations in recognition of their work for their church and community.

Representatives of the Jewish, Muslim and Hindu faiths also attended the service, at which the Catholic Primate Cardinal Sean Brady and the Duke of Edinburgh gave readings. Pupils from local schools also took part in the service and the choir of St Patrick's Cathedral led the worship.

Dean Patrick Rooke from St Patrick's Cathedral said it was a day of religious, historical and political significance.

He said: "It is a great honour that the Queen has chosen to come to Armagh for this service. It is a wonderful day, not only for those involved, but for the city as a whole.

"The pensioners who received the coins have contributed significantly to society and this is a wonderful way for that to be recognised.

"It will be a day that will be etched in their memory forever."

During the three day royal visit the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have attended a number of official functions.

Yesterday she drew crowds during a popular visit to the East Belfast Mission of the Newtownards Road.

Later she was at Queen's University, where she unveiled a stone featuring a verse by Seamus Heaney in the Black and White Hall of the Lanyon building.

She also met with President McAleese who sparked a political row with her comments about the possibility of Her Majesty making a historic first visit to the Republic. Unionists expressed outrage after Mrs McAleese said such a visit could not happen until the devolution of policing and justice powers.