ROYAL RUMOURS IN CAHIR
Tipperary will, allegedly, play host to Britain’s Charles and Camilla, where the royal couple are rumoured to visit Cahir Castle and the Rock of Cashel in the near future.
By all accounts, plans are well underway for the trip to the Premier County. Tipperary County Council said they had not received any official confirmation of a Royal visit to the county by any royal family, British or otherwise. However, did state: “Should such a visit materialise, the Council would be delighted to welcome members of the Royal Family to Tipperary. It would be a tremendous boost following the travel restrictions in place over the past 2 years”.
In 2011, Charles’ mother Queen Elizabeth visited the Rock of Cashel on the first visit to the Republic of Ireland by a reigning British monarch. On that trip, she visited Coolmore Stud where she has sent mares to be bred over the years. It is rumoured that her son will visit the stud of John Magnier on his visit.
In June 2018, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall (Charles and Camilla) visited Ballyvolane House outside Castlelyons, described by host Justin Green as ‘utterly charming’. In advance of the couple’s visit, hedges in Castlelyons and Bridesbridge were cut, roads repaired and windowboxes “full of colourful flowers were to be seen throughout”.
At the time, rumours circulated that farmers were asked to desist from spreading slurry in advance of the visit.
Martin Browne, Sinn Féin TD for Tipperary and brother of the late Cllr Michael Browne, said the visit, were it to happen, would be very welcome.
“While no visit has been confirmed, if Prince Charles were to come to Cashel and Cahir, it would be of great benefit to the local tourism industry and would provide a platform from which the world could see the beauty and historical heritage that both towns and their hinterland have to offer.
“It would also act as a showcase for the ingenuity of the people of Tipperary, and it would be good if the visit were to also include other areas of the county that deserve to be given the kind of global attention that comes with such a visit.
“Over recent years, Sinn Féin representatives have met with members of the Royal Family, including my own brother Michael, who greeted Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Cashel in 2011.
“As there has been no confirmation of the visit of Prince Charles, it is too early to say if any invitations to meet with the visitors will be extended. If such an invitation were to be issued, then of course, it will be considered by myself and my party colleagues.”
Cllr Michael Browne, Sinn Féin, was Mayor of Cashel during the British monarch’s visit in 2011 and broke party ranks at that time by shaking her hand. He later said that “there comes a time when people must come before political parties.”