President Brightens Balmoral Show

Mary McAleese has returned to 'her roots' today, travelling to her home town of Belfast to 'cultivate' better cross-border relations - by visiting Ireland's top agricultural event.

The Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister, Michelle Gildernew welcomed the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese to the annual Balmoral Show today.

The Sinn Fein MP told the Belfast-born premiere that it is the top event of the agri-food calendar, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and livestock exhibitors over three days.

President McAleese was attending the Department of Agriculture's (DARD) famous Breakfast hosted by Minister Gildernew on Thursday morning, before enjoying a tour of the show.

Highlighting DARD's exhibition, Minister Gildernew added: "The Balmoral Show is the centre-piece event of the local farming calendar, when country comes to town."

Yesterday, the Royal Ulster's premier show won royal support with a relaxed visit to the prestigious south Belfast agricultural event by the Prince of Wales.

Prince Charles arrived in Northern Ireland and travelled to the King's Hall complex to be greeted by a number of dignitaries including the city's Lord Mayor - and now MP - Naomi Long and Dame Mary Peters, the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast.

The Queen's oldest son toured the stands and met livestock exhibitors, judges and stewards and also viewed the flower arranging, bee keeping and Young Farmers Club (YFC) exhibits and presented prizes to breed champions in the course of the afternoon.

(BMcC/GK)