PRINCE Charles and Camilla have received a warm welcome at every stop as they made their way across the island of Ireland this week.
The royal pair began their visit - which is the fifth they have made together to the Emerald Isle - in Northern Ireland.
Prince Charles and Camilla during a tour of CS Lewis Square, Connswater Greenway, Belfast, to visit the stalls along the Narnia-themed sculpture walk, which showcase East Side Partnership's community activitiesThey first visited Co. Tyrone and met local businesses and members of the community.
Prince Charles planted a tree in the gardens of Hillsborough Castle, which is the only royal residence in Northern Ireland, before pair made their way to Belfast for a series of engagements, including a reception for local organisations involved in helping and supporting refugees from Ukraine.
Prince Charles signs the visitors book at Lissan House, Cookstown, in county Tyrone, during a visit to meet with community groups who use the EstateAfter two-days spent in the North, from March 22-23, the pair began their tour of the south in Co. Waterford.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall pets Cheltenham champion Honeysuckle during a visit to the Henry de Bromhead Stables in Waterford, IrelandOne of the first engagements there saw Camilla, the Duchess of Wales visit Henry De Bromhead’s stables, where she met leading Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore and her champion mare Honeysuckle.
Blackmore and Honeysuckle made history at last month’s Cheltenham Festival where they won the Champion Hurdle for a second consecutive year.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall meets history-making Irish jockey Rachael BlackmoreThe win marked 15 wins out of 15 races for unbeaten Honeysuckle – who is the only mare to win the Champions Hurdle twice.
The royal pair also enjoyed a greeting at Reginald's Tower while in Waterford on March 24 and a Viking re-enactment near a replica longboat, before they met Ukrainians living in the county.
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall view a performance by a Waterford Viking Re-enactment Group as they carry out a public walkabout in WaterfordLater, speaking at a reception hosted by the city's mayor, the prince gave a speech which he began in in Irish.
“Tá áthas an domhain orainn a bheith anseo i bPort Lairg [We have the ‘joy of the world’ to be here in Waterford],” he told those gathered.
“I cannot tell you what huge pleasure it gives both my wife and myself to be with you in Ireland once again, a country that means more to us than I can possibly say.”
Prince Charles and Camilla meet first responders and members of the community as they carry out a public walkabout in WaterfordHe added: “It has long been one of our great ambitions to visit every county of this majestic land before senility totally overtakes us.
“So to have been so warmly welcomed – and, not least, by a Viking re-enactment – is a wonderful blessing, and one that will certainly live long in our memories.
“It is in places such as Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, where we are reminded so vividly of our ancient connections, and how they have evolved over time toward a modern friendship.
'From a Viking town, to a city with a royal charter, to the place where the first Irish tricolour was flown, to the home of a new university and acclaimed as the best place to live in Ireland, Waterford is a city of promise and hope for the future.”
The royal pair talk to Simon O'Dwyer and Marie Cullen O'Dwyer who played iron age trumpets during their visit at the Rock of Cashel this morningPrince Charles went on to pay tribute to and offer words of support for the people of Ukraine, adding that the crisis the country now faces is a stark reminder of the importance of being good neighbours.
“Such times as we are living through bring into sharp relief the importance of peace and friendship, which history tells us we can too easily take for granted.
It is yet another demonstration of how our two countries are not just neighbours, but partners who, though at times we have travelled a troubled road together, have through reconciliation and understanding forged a future that has benefitted both our peoples and the world.”
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales visited the Rock of Cashel in Tipperary this morningClosing his speech, he added: “We are especially pleased to be able to resume our own personal voyage around Ireland by starting a visit here, in your beautiful county, celebrating old friendships and building new ones.
“Is deas a bheith arís le seanchairde [It is good to be with old friends again].”
The royals spent the final day of their trip, on Friday, March 25, visiting Co. Tipperary, where they visited the Rock of Cashel
This year senior royals are visiting eight of the 14 Commonwealth countries outside the UK to mark the Queen’s record-breaking 70th year on the throne.
The royal pair were happy to be "back with old friends" in Ireland this weekA series of public events over four days are due to take place in the UK in early June to mark the occasion.
The Queen, who turns 96 this month and has been in fragile health, made history in 2011 when she became the first British monarch to visit Ireland since its independence.
