The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
King’ s thanks to town
The King has thanked Armagh for the warm welcome he and the Queen received during the second day of their visit to Northern Ireland.
Charles attended a service at St Patrick’s Cathedral attended by various religious leaders while Camilla visited the Armagh Robinson Library and Museum, which is home to a number of local archaeological items.
At the library Camilla met children from Drelincourt Primary School and volunteers from Dementia NI, before signing a commemorative photograph for the museum.
Among the church leaders who gave readings at the service were Church of Ireland leader Rev John McDowell and the leader of the Catholic Church, Archbishop Eamon Martin.
They both met young schoolchildren, including two eight-year-olds sporting hand-made crowns.
The King and Queen met members of the Methodist College Belfast choir, who sang at the coronation in Westminster Abbey.
They then shook hands with several artisan food producers and were given various gifts by members of the public while a cultural performance took place on a stage at Market Theatre Square.
Among those lining the
path to the stage were four figures with large heads, representing legendary and historical characters associated with Armagh: warrior goddess Queen Macha, St Patrick, High King of Ireland Brian Boru and warrior Cu Chulainn.
They also met with performers who gave a showcase of Ulster-Scots, Irish, Chinese and South Asian cultures through traditional music, song and dance.
As the couple joined the Lord Mayor of Armagh
Paul Greenfield on stage, Charles addressed the crowd and thanked the community for its hospitality.
“I did just want to say before we leave that it’s been the greatest pleasure to join you here today,” he said.
“I realise it was 23 years ago since I was last here, and I think opened The Market Place building, which I’m so pleased to see is still going strong and I hope making a huge difference to Armagh.”