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Minister addressed their Royal Highnesses at a Civic Reception in Letterkenny

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charles Flanagan T.D., today welcomed TRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to Donegal for a one-day visit.

The Minister and Mrs Mary Flanagan greeted them on arrival at Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT), where the Royal visitors were guests of honour at a civic reception hosted by Donegal County Council. Prince Charles met with LYIT staff and students as well as entrepreneurs involved in the Colab incubation and innovation centre for the North West, which currently supports 28 companies at LYIT and works on a cross-border basis. He also met with local food producers involved in the Donegal Coast Initiative.

Speaking at the civic reception with representatives present from Donegal and from Derry and Strabane District Council, Minister Flanagan recalled the previous visit of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall in 2015 and said:

“Last year, your visit was a powerful demonstration of our two countries’ shared focus on peace and reconciliation, with many elements in your programme also demonstrating 21st century links between us - in education, in science and in many other walks of life.

“Today, as we assemble in Donegal’s centre of educational excellence, we further celebrate those 21st century links. In particular, we celebrate the ever-increasing co-operation all across this island - and specifically cross-border partnerships across a broad range of areas between counties Donegal and Derry”.

Minister Flanagan also welcomed the fact that the visit would serve to increase the international profile of Donegal and the north-west as a whole. During their visit, the Prince and the Duchess will have visited Donegal town and Glenveagh National Park.

The Minister, who had visited Derry the previous day for a programme of business and political engagements, highlighting the Government’s commitment to the North West, added:

“If I were to characterise your welcome visit today to Donegal, it might be one which marks our 21st century friendship, and our ever-growing efforts to work together.

“Working together between Britain and Ireland. Working together north and south on this island. Working together across our open border, between neighbouring counties – indeed between good and friendly neighbours”.

Minister of State Joe McHugh T.D. represented the government in Donegal town, while the Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys T.D. will have represented the government at Glenveagh National Park.

Notes to editors:
The visit programme for the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall commenced in Donegal town where they visited Donegal Castle, The Diamond and Magee 1866.
The principals proceeded to Letterkenny IT for a civic reception. The Prince of Wales visited an exhibition on start-up companies based with Colab at the Institute and met with local food producers involved in the Donegal Coast Initiative.
The Duchess of Cornwall visited a local school at Ballyraine in Letterkenny.
The final element of their progamme is to be at Glenveagh Castle and gardens, where they will meet with local children who participate in education programmes at the National Park.