19/05/2015

Prince Of Wales Begins Visit To Ireland

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are to visit the west of Ireland today, 19 May.

Prince Charles and Camilla are expected to begin their four day visit in Galway this afternoon. The couple are also expected to meet Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, stated: "The significant international media interest in the visit and the range of features that were recently published in British newspapers indicate that this visit will add to the international profile of the west of Ireland, in particular the Wild Atlantic Way and also our cultural heritage as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of WB Yeats' birth.

"The visit programme celebrates the depth and potential of 21st century Irish-British links, while also acknowledging more difficult moments from the past.

"I recall that the Prince of Wales had made peace and reconciliation central themes in his previous official visits in 1995 and 2002, both of which came during important stages of the Northern Ireland Peace Process.

"Reconciliation and dealing with the past are issues that can still challenge us, and were the subject of the Stormont House Agreement reached in Belfast last December. We are now working hard to realise the potential of that Agreement."

Minister Flanagan will represent the Government during the visit of their Royal Highnesses to Co Sligo on Wednesday and will welcome the Prince and the Duchess on their arrival.

(CD/JP)

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