Ahead of their upcoming visit to Ireland, announced as part of a wide range of tours being undertaken by the Royal Family in Platinum Jubilee year, Royal Central is looking back at previous royal visits by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to the Republic of Ireland.
The royals have visited regularly in recent years, with one tour a year between 2015-2019. Prior to that, Prince Charles had visited solo in 1995 and 2002.
1995
Prince Charles became the first member of the Royal Family to visit the Republic of Ireland since independence. Protesters greeted him at every stop, but he still drew cheering crowds at every stop, too.
Years later, in declassified papers about the historic royal visit, the then-Ambassador to Ireland, Victoria Sutherland, wrote: “The overwhelmingly favourable reaction to the Prince of Wales from people in all walks of life including many who describe themselves as staunch republicans has exceeded all expectations. The Irish have clearly responded to the Prince of Wales’ relaxed and easy manner and everyone to whom I have since spoken has commented on his repeatedly expressed desire to visit Ireland again. The only disappointment will be when it is realised that HRH did not mean next week.”
2002
Prince Charles’s next visit to Ireland came in February 2002, and in a speech he praised the country and its ways: “Ladies and Gentlemen, you may not believe me when I say this but funnily enough it is nevertheless true that one of the reasons that I am so pleased to have this chance of returning to Ireland is because I have always felt what can only be described as a sense of affinity with the rhythms of the Irish soul, your sense of spontaneity, the respect for the sacred, which seems to be second nature to you: the inner world of the Irish imagination and your love of nature as the theatre of divine presence.
“For me in many ways the ancient land of Ireland does have a remarkable tradition of cultural and spiritual creativity and it can be a powerful magic for some.”
2015
Prince Charles and Camilla made their first official visit to the Republic of Ireland between 19-20 May 2015, with stops in Galway, Oranmore, Gort, Sligo, Drumcliffe, Cliffoney, and Mullaghmore.
One of the most poignant moments of their visit came during the trip to Mullaghmore, the location of the assassination of Lord Mountbatten in 1979. The royals met with members of the rescue operation on that day. Prince Charles was clearly moved as he looked out to the site where his beloved uncle had lost his life.
2016
The following year, Prince Charles and Camilla added a day on to their tour of Northern Ireland with a stop in the Republic of Ireland, visiting on 25 May with engagements in Donegal, Letterkenny and Churchill.
2017
From 10-12 May 2017, Prince Charles and Camilla carried out an official visit with engagements in Dublin, Kilkenny, Thomastown, and Curragh.
2018
In 2018, the royals visited Cork, Caherdaniel, Tralee, and Killarney. In a speech in Cork, Prince Charles said: “I know, and coming here for the last four years has confirmed to me, just how important we are to each other, at the end of the day. Apart from anything else, the agricultural exports from this country to the United Kingdom are enormous, and of huge importance; tourism from the U.K. to Ireland is also of enormous importance and so of course are horses and everything to do with racing! When we get back to the U.K., next week is Ascot week, when the whole place will be flooded by wonderful Irish people, producing fantastic horses, and all that goes with it.
“So Ladies and Gentlemen, as I said earlier, our countries, have travelled a troubled road together but with reconciliation and understanding as our guides, we have found a very important new path to shared prosperity and security. And together, we are determined that we must never lose our way again.
“So Ladies and Gentlemen, if I may, I would just like to propose a toast to The President of Ireland, and the people of Ireland, and to the special partnership between our countries.”
2019
Their most recent visit to the Republic of Ireland came on 20 and 21 May 2019, with engagements in Dublin, Enniskerry, Kilbride, and Glendalough.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall arrive in the Republic of Ireland for their latest visit this week.
