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News

TRH spend a day in Northern Ireland

23rd May 2007

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall started a two-day visit to Northern Ireland today.

First, Their Royal Highnesses visited the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra.

The Prince and The Duchess arrived at Ballycultra Town, which is a collection of exhibit buildings as part of the museum and were greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of County Down, William Hall.

The Prince and The Duchess then toured part of the 60-acre site and met characters dressed in period costume.

The tour visited The Old Rectory, where Their Royal Highnesses learnt a little about the history of the 18th Century building originally located in Lismacloskey near Toomebridge, and the Corner Shop, a typical late-Victorian building that originally stood in Carrickfergus.

Here, The Prince chose some cough sweets, and Their Royal Highnesses enjoyed tasting some traditional soda farls.

Shopkeeper Gerald Monaghan said: "I asked which sweet was his favourite and he picked Throat and Chest because he said he had a sore throat.

“He just had one sweet and even offered to pay, but I said: 'This is complementary to you.'”

Next stop was the Labourer's House, part of a reconstruction of terrace houses which stood in the Sandy Row area of Belfast in the early 19th Century.

Meanwhile, basket maker, Bob Johnston, showed off his skills to The Prince and The Duchess. The Prince has a keen interest in traditional skills and crafts.

Mr Johnston said: "They asked me what I used and whether it was difficult to make. They seemed very interested."

Their Royal Highnesses then toured the Presbyterian meeting house, where they attended a reception with around 120 invited guests and staff from Help The Aged, of which The Prince is Patron, to help celebrate its 21st birthday in Northern Ireland.

The Prince paid tribute to Help the Aged’s work and met many of the older people who benefit from its programmes.

His Royal Highness said: "It has been interesting to hear how the organisation is working here to overcome... the challenges that so many elderly people face."

"I am hugely impressed with the work that is going on and the ideas for the future."

Newtownabbey pensioner June Mallon said she was delighted to have met The Prince.

"He was very friendly in his approach. He made us feel very much at ease," she said.

"I was really surprised because I thought he would be a bit stuffy, but he wasn't at all."
Grace Henry, director of Help The Aged in Northern Ireland, said: "We are delighted that our Patron, HRH the Prince of Wales, was able to join us to celebrate this milestone in Help The Aged's history in Northern Ireland and to learn about the impressive volume of work that the charity has been involved in."

Rosemary Kelly, Chairwoman of the Northern Ireland Committee of Help the Aged, presented The Duchess of Cornwall with a bouquet of flowers before Their Royal Highnesses left to continue their day of engagements.

The Prince of Wales then visited Glentoran Football Club where he met young people participating in Prince’s Trust Get Into courses and a sponsored absailing event.

His Royal Highness met representatives from The Prince’s Trust Northern Ireland was introduced to members of the two cross-community teams participating in a soccer coaching session and Irish Football Association and club members.

The Prince then attended a reception where he met a number of invited guests including key funders, private sector supporters, Prince’s Trust Ambassadors, Prince’s Trust Northern Ireland Council Members and participants of the Get Into Cooking course who prepared the buffet lunch and also participants of the Get Into Construction course.

Later in the day, Their Royal Highnesses attended a garden party at Hillsborough Castle.

Click here to find out more about The Prince's Patronages.
Click here to find out more about The Prince's Trust.

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