Cork, Ireland ? Queen Elizabeth II left Ireland on a triumphant note Friday, finally getting a chance to mingle with cheering crowds despite the security concerns that kept her slightly isolated on the first three days of her visit.

Adults and schoolchildren roared their delight as the queen walked out of the English Market and chatted with onlookers who had waited patiently for a glimpse of her during her brief trip to Cork. A party atmosphere prevailed as school bands serenaded the queen.

“She’s a very nice lady and she told me she had a very nice time in Ireland,” said Adam Ryan, 12. “I never expected her to come talk to us. You can tell she’s kind.”

The atmosphere in Cork was much more relaxed and jubilant than it had been in Dublin, where a bomb was discovered on a suburban bus hours before her arrival, ratcheting up fears of a dissident attack as the queen made the first visit of a British monarch to the Republic of Ireland.

Numerous threats had prompted the largest security operation in Ireland’s modern history, shutting down city centers and keeping crowds away from the queen until Friday afternoon in Cork.

The queen made only one public speech during her journey, at a state dinner Wednesday night, but it had an impact throughout Ireland. She won rave reviews for directly addressing the tense relations that had often left these two neighbors wary, despite strong cultural, family and business ties.

The queen did not apologize for English actions, but expressed sympathy and regret for those who had suffered under them, striking a chord with many Irish listeners who said they were moved by her sincere and dignified approach.

“It’s the best thing that’s happened in Ireland in 20 years,” said baker Joe Hagerty, who runs Heaven’s Cakes in the English Market, the queen’s first stop in Cork. “She’s been very sweet and very direct and kept it very short. She said the right things. It was absolutely sincere. Everybody on our side of the world was really happy with it.”

Pat O’Connell, who showed the queen and her husband Prince Philip his vast supply of fresh fish — including the wild salmon the queen favors — said the monarch had accomplished her goals for the ambitious trip.

“We are absolutely thrilled, it has been the most wonderful trip,” he said. “The woman has just shown such dignity, such grace. You can say 99.99 percent of the people are thrilled.”

His views were echoed by other shopkeepers. Some said they were nationalists who wanted a united Ireland but had still been charmed by the queen.

“I’m certainly a nationalist, don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see a united Ireland,” said Michael Corrigan, who showed the queen produce from his Superfruit stand. “But I’m quite happy for her to come. We must never forget our history, but we must always forgive. If you don’t forgive, well, you spend your life in bitterness. I’m ready to forgive and move on.”

He said the attitude toward the queen is positive but added “you’ll always have a few” who oppose her.

Radio talk shows were filled with praise for the queen, and TV commentators hailed her visit as a watershed event. Some even joked that maybe independence hadn’t been a good thing.