Charles and Camilla Pay Three-Day Visit to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall undertook a three day visit of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland this week. Due to security measures, the visit was not announced in advance to the press. The Prince of Wales took the first day on his own and was joined by The Duchess of Cornwall on Tuesday. The invitation was at the behest of the Irish government after a successful visit last year, when for the first time, Charles visited Mullaghmore in County Sligo, the scene of the explosion that killed Lord Mountbatten and others.

Day One: Prince Charles visited the Science Park in Titanic Quarter of The Queen’s University Belfast and was greeted by First Minister Arlene Foster, East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson and Deputy Lord Mayor Guy Spence.

HRH began the #RoyalVisitNI @QueensUBelfast. The Prince toured the Centre for Secure Information Technologies. pic.twitter.com/BPzUjAGtSy

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) May 23, 2016

Day Two: The Prince met Ireland’s deputy first minister Martin McGuinness, the former IRA commander, at Hillsborough Castle. Charles held separate meetings with Mr McGuinness and with Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster at the royal residence. After meeting Charles, Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness announced plans to visit First World War battlefields in an act of reconciliation.

The Prince of Wales receives Mr Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland #RoyalVisitNI pic.twitter.com/5IKoLJ8pfz

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) May 24, 2016

Charles went on to be presented with a hurley and sliotar from members of Portaferry Gaelic Athletic Club. The Prince toured the PORTICO Arts & Heritage Centre. The first joint engagement of the day was to the Yellow Door Deli, 2016 marks Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink and a number of HRH’s engagements are connected to the event. Yellow Door Deli went on to win two food heartland awards the day after HRH visited their establishment. The couple went on to tour the Ulster Carpets factory in Portadown. Among the carpets being manufactured in the long established business is one destined for Buckingham Palace.

The Prince has been joined by The Duchess for the #RoyalVisitNI, and TRH’s first joint visit is to @yellowdoordeli! pic.twitter.com/HAJVQ5IOhw

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) May 24, 2016

The Duchess then went for a cheeky tipple at the Armagh Cider Company to try some cider. Meanwhile Charles went to the Orange Heritage Museum where Prince Charles met relatives of Orangemen killed in the Troubles. The Prince then planted an apple tree in the garden of remembrance.

Day Three: The couple’s first stop on Wednesday was to Donegal town and the factory where the famous Donegal tweed is made. Róisín McCool, principal of Gaelscoil nag Ceithre Máistrí, the only Irish speaking school in Donegal town, said it was an honour to perform for the couple at the castle: “We were absolutely honoured and privileged to be here today to be singing and dancing and playing music for Prince Charles and Camilla”.

After a visit to Donegal Castle, it was a short walk as they finished off the trip with a visit to a local butcher shop to sample some produce. McGettigan & Sons Craft Butchers have been trading in Donegal since 1952. The party then made their way to the Magee Tweed factory where the Prince and Duchess were shown how the fabric is made. Magee celebrates its 150th Anniversary this year.

Their Royal Highnesses then attended a civic reception at Letterkenny Institute of Technology. The Prince then heard about some of the Business, Engineering, Science and Tourism projects occurring at the institute. Camilla then went on to visit Ballyraine National School to hear about their projects with the Pushkin Trust. The Pushkin Trust aims to engage children, their parents and educators across Ireland and Northern Ireland in creative activities.

Next stop for TRH is the Letterkenny Institute of Technology @LYIT. #RoyalVisitIreland pic.twitter.com/xY6f5z6d2P

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) May 25, 2016

Camilla also visited Ballyraine’s school farm and met Green Team at Cluckingham Palace. Final visit of the day was to Glenveagh Castle. The castle is located within Glenveagh Park, which sits at the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains.

TRH enjoy the magnificent view across the Lough in Glenveagh Park – a stunning sight. #RoyalVisitIreland pic.twitter.com/jbiytBdzFe

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) May 25, 2016

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Culture, Education, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Official Visit, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Prince of Wales.

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