Hand of history... Charles meets Martin

IN what was considered to be one of the most significant moments of last week’s royal visit, Prince Charles shook heads with Sinn Féin Deputy Martin Ferris.

The historic handshake took place well away from the media, who were kept as far away from the moment as possible, when the pair shook hands and spoke for a few moments during the Prince’s vist to Killarney House and Gardens last Friday.

What was said remains unknown but the fact that the Sinn Fein TD, a convicted IRA gun runner, shook hands with a British prince would have at one time seen as being an impossibility given the history between the both parties.

Soon after the momentous occasion, the Kerry North TD left the venue having completed what he set out to do in meeting and shaking the Prince’s hand.

Speaking after the historic meeting, Deputy Ferris, said that Prince Charles told him he was “delighted to be here”.

“He said he was delighted to meet me. I am on a journey of peace and reconsilation as he is and are both countries and both nations” he said.

Prince Charles also met with Sinn Féin Leaders Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill the day before his meeting with Deputy Ferris.

“We spoke about Kerry and about his meeting with Michelle and Mary Lou.” Deputy Ferris also said that the visit by Prince Charles would be a huge tourism boost for the county.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin TOP: The historic handshake between former IRA volunteer Martin Ferris and Britain’s Prince Charles. RIGHT: Deputies Martin Ferris and John Brassil with Sen. Mark Daly at the visit by Charles Prince of Wales and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall to...