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The Duchess Of Cornwall and Prince Charles leaving Siamsa Tire on Friday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean
“Remarkable. At last I have a chance to see Kerry.” — Prince Charles when asked how he was enjoying his visit to the county.
THE sun came out just in time as the royal cavalcade pulled up by Siamsa Tíre on Friday afternoon at around 1pm.
Security was tight with a huge Garda presence all over Ivy Terrace, the Town Park and on Princes Street as the public were kept well back from Siamsa and consequently didn’t get any good view of the royals.
With the pathway lined with children from schools in town — CBS, Moyderwell, Presentation, Tralee Educate Together, Holy Family, St John’s Parochical School, Scoil Eoin and Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn — Prince Charles and his wife Camilla shook hands with many and had a few words with the teachers before making their way into the building.
Artistic Director with Siamsa Tíre, Jonathan Kelliher, explained to us after the visit how they decided to entertain the royals during the visit.
“I thought why not showcase all the different aspects of the theatre. I always felt a choir in the gallery would be nice for them to hear as they walk up the path. Because it’s our 50th anniversary I was always going to put on part of our original show ‘Fadó Fadó’ and since we have our latest show ‘Anam’ ongoing here, we put on a piece of that too.”
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The Royal couple enjoyed the performance by the National Folk Theatre Choir in the gallery before making their way to the rehearsal room for a short performance of ‘Anam’.
Then it was on to the theatre and taste of ‘Fadó Fadó’ which went down a storm with the couple, the many dignitaries and the specially invited guests from the town and beyond inside the auditorium.
“They were completely bowled over by the choir and the performance and said he’d love to do the dancing but he’s a bit old to take it up now!” said Jonathan. “They were very impressed with the building and green initiative we have going on here. We’re delighted to have hosted them here and thankfully everything went off without a hitch,” said Jonathan.
Some of the younger performers spoke to us after the show. “I enjoyed it, it was a very good experience and they’re very nice people,” said Ella Smith.
Presentation pupils with teacher Helena Hennessy waiting for the royals to arrive. Photo by Dermot Crean
Young Aoife Kennedy had a special connection to the Royals. “My grandfather and his grandmother both had the same housekeeper. Her name was Margaret Dillane and she started in Ardfert and years later she moved to England and worked in the Queen Mother’s house.”
“It was a wonderful experience,” said Norma O’Brien. “It was a real honour to be asked to perform for them and meeting them was extra special. They were so polite and lovely to speak to.”
Presentations were also made to Prince Charles and Camilla on the stage. Prince Charles also paid a visit to the Taste Kerry stand outside Siamsa, where he met Chairperson John Harty and chef Greg Ryan.
“He spoke about the importance of protecting small food industries. He was glad to see what we are doing here,” said Greg.
Upon leaving the stand, Aisling O’Brien asked Prince Charles how he was enjoying his visit to which he replied; “Remarkable. At last I have a chance to see Kerry.”
Then it was off in the royal cavalcade to take them to the helicopter so they could fulfil the final engagement of their Kerry visit in Killarney. Scroll down for photos…
The Prince of Wales and Dutchess of Cornwall, watching a rehearsal by ANAM, on a visit to Siamsa Tire, Tralee. Photo: Kenneth O’Halloran
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall meeting cast members at Siamsa Tire, Tralee. Photo: Kenneth O’Halloran
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The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall , watching a performance of Fado Fado, on a visit to Siamsa Tire, Tralee . Photo: Kenneth O’Halloran
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall , presented with gifts after a performance of Fado Fado, on a visit to Siamsa Tire, Tralee. Photo: Kenneth O’Halloran
Prince Charles with Minister Brendan Griffin at Siamsa Tire. Photo by Dermot Crean
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John Harty of Taste Kerry meets Prince Charles. Photo by Dermot Crean
The cast of Fado Fado in action. Photo by Dermot Crean
Prince Charles meets the cast of Fado Fado. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Prince Charles and Camilla meet the cast of Fado Fado. Photo by Dermot Crean
Prince Charles and Camilla meet schoolchildren on their way to Siamsa Tire. Photo by Dermot Crean
Prince Charles meets Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn Principal, Cáit Uí Chonchúir on his way to Siamsa Tire. Photo by Dermot Crean
Prince Charles with Mayor of Tralee Norma Foley.
Prince Charles and Camilla meet schoolchildren on their way to Siamsa Tire. Photo by Dermot Crean
Prince Charles and Camilla meet schoolchildren on their way to Siamsa Tire. Photo by Dermot Crean
Prince Charles meets Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn teacher Declan Quill on his way to Siamsa Tire. Photo by Dermot Crean
CBS pupils waiting for the royals. Photo by Dermot Crean
Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn pupils waiting for the royals. Photo by Dermot Crean
Scoil Eoin pupils waiting for the royals. Photo by Dermot Crean
Moyderwell pupils waiting for the royals. Photo by Dermot Crean
Scoil Eoin pupils waiting for the royals. Photo by Dermot Crean
Holy Family pupils waiting for the royals. Photo by Dermot Crean
St John’s Parochial School pupils waiting for the royals joined by Mayor of Tralee Norma Foley. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Good for Tralee and their presentation of more personal, genuine and appropriate gifts after their performance of Fado Fadoand to The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
Unlike Killarney’s presentation of the Order of Innisfallen . I am sure the Prince of Wales has lots official superficial rubbish like that already from the world over!