Ireland

Prince Charles pays tribute to 1916 fighters

(Left-right) Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and Fianna Fáil TD Sean Haughey meet the Prince of Wales during a reception at Glencairn House in Dublin. Picture by Damien Eagers, Press Association
(Left-right) Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and Fianna Fáil TD Sean Haughey meet the Prince of Wales during a reception at Glencairn House in Dublin. Picture by Damien Eagers, Press Association (Left-right) Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and Fianna Fáil TD Sean Haughey meet the Prince of Wales during a reception at Glencairn House in Dublin. Picture by Damien Eagers, Press Association

THE Prince of Wales has paid tribute to those who fought for Irish freedom in the 1916 Rising.

On the final day of his four-day tour of Ireland, the British royal said it was important to honour the memory of "men and women from all sides whose sacrifice shaped our shared history".

The prince had earlier laid a wreath at a memorial in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin in memory of all those who died in the Rising.

He and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, took part in a ceremony at the Necrology Wall, which bears the names of all who died in the Rising - Irish and British, military, police and civilian.

They also took part in a ceremony at a war memorial where Victoria Cross paving stones were unveiled in memory of four Irish-born soldiers - Corporal John Cunningham, Company Sergeant Major Robert Hill Hanna, Lieutenant Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey and Private Michael James O'Rourke.

Charles said the most memorable moment of his four-day trip was joining the acts of remembrance.

He said at an event in the British ambassador's Dublin residence: "My wife and I were deeply moved to join acts of remembrance".

"It's so very important we are able to come together to honour the memory of so many men and women from all sides whose sacrifice shaped our shared history," he said.

Charles also shared his condolences with Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams over the death of former deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness during a reception hosted by the ambassador.

The prince and Mr Adams shook hands and shared a joke about their dates of birth.

Charles said that they were both born in the same year - 1948 - but joked that the Louth TD was older.

Mr Adams was among 200 guests to greet the prince and Camilla as they arrived at Glencairn House, the official residence of ambassador Robin Barnett.

It is almost 41 years since IRA bombers murdered British ambassador Christopher Ewart-Biggs at the residence.

The prince also met Taoiseach Enda Kenny, on the final day of his visit.

Charles and Mr Kenny held a private meeting in government buildings in Dublin.

As the British royal signed his name in the visitors' book, he joked: "This is just to prove I can write".