PHOTOS: Fenit Gives A Warm Welcome To Royal Visitor

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The Duke of Kent is greeted by Gerard O’Donnell and Tom McCormack of the RNLI during his visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

IT was a momentous day for Fenit and the RNLI as a member of the British royal family came to the village on Tuesday.

HRH The Duke of Kent, Prince Edward, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, arrived by helicopter during a beautiful sunny afternoon, seeing the area at its best.

The Duke of Kent has been President of the RNLI since 1969 and was on a tour of Irish stations including the inshore station at Dromineer in Co Tipperary and the coastal stations at Kilrush in Co Clare and at Fenit.

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At around 4.15pm his helicopter landed nearby and he was driven to the station where children from St Brendan’s NS Fenit, Spa NS and 8th Kerry Fenit Cub Scouts lined up to  welcome him.

He was then taken on a tour of the facilities by Fenit RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Gerard O’Donnell. He met the crew of the Fenit Lifeboat and was shown around the boathouse before a reception was held where he presented long-service awards to three staff — Gerard O’Donnell, Tom McCormack and Peter Moore.

The Duke of Kent was also presented with framed photo — taken by local photographer Jim O’Mahony — of the statue of St Brendan  looking out on the Atlantic, which watches over Fenit pier.

He chatted briefly to the schoolchildren on his way back to his car and off he went to the helicopter. A brief visit, but one which will be remembered by all at Fenit Lifeboat. Scroll down for photos…

The Duke of Kent gets a warm welcome from local schoolchildren during his visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

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The Duke of Kent meets crew members of Fenit Lifeboat during his visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

The Duke of Kent is shown the boathouse during his visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

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The Duke of Kent meets crew members of Fenit Lifeboat during his visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

People watching the Duke of Kent meet Lifeboat crew during his visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

The Duke of Kent meets crew members of Fenit Lifeboat during his visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

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St Brendan’s NS pupils during the Duke of Kent’s visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

The Duke of Kent with Gerard O’Donnell and Tom McCormack during his visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

The Duke of Kent meets members of the Fenit 8th Kerry Scouts during his visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

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The Duke of Kent meets St Brendan’s NS pupils during his visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

The Duke of Kent meets Tony and Hannah Stack during his visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

The Fenit 8th Kerry Scouts during the Duke Of Kent’s visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

St Brendan’s NS pupils and parents during the Duke Of Kent’s visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

Spa NS pupils during the Duke Of Kent’s visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

St Brendan’s NS pupils during the Duke Of Kent’s visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

The Duke of Kent chats to Mike McDonnell and David Buttimer during his visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

Gerard O’Donnell receives his long-service medal from the Duke Of Kent during his visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

St Brendan’s and Spa NS pupils the Duke Of Kent during his visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

Schoolchildren wave goodbye to the Duke Of Kent after his visit to Fenit RNLI on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Dermot Crean

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