The small Waterford town was ringed by a huge security presence for Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles private visit yesterday.
The Prince was staying in Lismore Castle, where he last night attended the birthday party of his close friend, Lord Hartington, the son and heir of the Duke of Devonshire. Gardai were drafted in from surrounding counties and police divers scoured the river around the castle throughout the day. The heir to the British throne was one of 200 guests at the banquet and ball. Yesterday he toured the castle and its grounds, regarded as some of the finest in the country. Locals were expecting to catch a glimpse of the Prince and Ms Parker Bowles this morning when they attend a service at the local Protestant cathedral.
Betty Feeney, manageress of the Lismore Hotel, which was packed with reporters yesterday, said the Prince was a welcome visitor. 'He's very popular in Ireland and his presence puts our town on the map,' she said.
This is Prince Charles's third visit to Ireland and his first in an unofficial capacity. He will fly back to London from Cork tomorrow morning.
