DUBLIN - Britain's Queen Elizabeth has sent her first ever St. Patrick's Day message to Ireland, reflecting an increasingly relaxed approach to long-troubled bilateral relations.

I send my greetings to you on the occasion of Ireland's National Day, together with my best wishes for the good fortune and happiness of the people of your country, read the message, addressed to Irish President Mary McAleese.

An embassy spokesman said the message reflected the ever growing closeness and warmth of relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom.

While relations have historically been difficult since Ireland gained independence from Britain early in the last century, the two countries have built a more amicable alliance in recent years.

However, disagreement about whether the British monarch could refer to Ireland without including the British-ruled province of Northern Ireland had prevented royal St. Patrick's Day greetings.

The landmark Good Friday agreement in 1998, which outlined a blueprint for peace in the disputed territory, included an accord on the use of Ireland to mean the Irish republic.

Ireland is contemplating another rare occurrence -- a St. Patrick's Day without a parade. Due to measures aimed at reducing unnecessary travel and large public gatherings in order to reduce the risk of spreading foot-and-mouth disease, Ireland has called off its traditional celebrations.

The extravaganza of music, feasting and pageantry usually attracts some 1.3 million people to the streets of Dublin and generates millions of pounds for hoteliers, restaurateurs and pub-owners. But not this year.

The postponement of celebrations to mark the death of Ireland's patron saint -- the biggest event in the national calendar -- underlines the scale of precautions against a disease which has rampaged through Britain.

The animal virus could cause untold damage to Ireland's crucial farming industry, which accounts for 10 percent of the its gross domestic product, 11 percent of employment and 27 percent of net earnings from trade.