Prince Albert : "We'll be back"

Friday, 15 April 2011 13:37

Moss covered stones. Creeping briars. Long rotted doorframes. Prince Albert's ancestral home near Newport is truly a prime example of utter dereliction. The shabby look of the place didn't seem to matter much, however, to the Prince and his elegant fiancée, Charlene Wittenstock, when they carried out a brief inspection on Wednesday evening last.
As they dodged briars and tiptoed between the cow-tracks, they seemed deeply interested in what they were witnessing and experiencing.
All the narrow roads leading to the townland had been sealed off by gardaí for the brief visit. The area was out of bounds to the media.

But the neighbours and the Prince's local Kelly relatives got 'grandstand' positions, mixing freely with the royal couple and chatting to them.
Ann Cawley, whose late husband John acted as caretaker for the Kelly holding, met Princess Grace and Prince Rainier when they visited in the 1970s and was delighted to be there on Friday to meet their son, Albert.
"They are a lovely couple," Anne enthused afterwards. "They are very normal people. It was easy to talk to them. They seemed in no hurry and were very interested in talking about the history of the place."
After meeting the Prince and his entourage at Drimurla, Anne Cawley and her brothers, Peter and Michael, along with other Kelly relatives, including Tony Kelly from Coagula, joined the Prince for afternoon tea in Newport House.

Afterwards the group went to the Grainne Uaile pub across the river where the Prince and his fiancée, who both enjoyed drinks of Guinness, were entertained by traditional musicians.
The Gráinne Uaile, which has been in the McManamon family for over a hundred years, is currently being run by third generation Harry and Liz McManamon.
The pub was established by Sarah McManamon and is one of the oldest businesses in the town.
Joe and Bridget McManamon (Harry's parents) continued the family tradition for many years and built a reputation for hospitality both here and abroad.

The royal entourage, who were accompanied by the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, and the cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor Michael Bourke, were welcomed by members of the McManamon, McHugh and Drumm families.
The royals were treated to some fine traditional music from local musicians Julie Langan, Maria McHugh, Gary Leahy, Jackie Small and Brian Lennon, who are known to frequent the pub on Thursday nights.
Following the initial introduction and usual photo requests, Saileen Drumm helped the royal couple to relax with some Guinness and some chat.
Mayo's new acappella group Coda performed two pieces (The Briar and the Rose, and Dulaman), which were well received by the couple and their guests.

Following an unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the occasion, the couple joined locals Bernie and Charlie O'Donnell and Pat and Linda Chambers at the bar for some local banter. Miss Wittenstock informed them of her intention to return again in 18 months.
To which a delighted Bernie and Charlie replied: "We will probably be in the same seats on your return."
The couple spent over an hour in the company of the Gráinne Uaile's guests who were selected through a lottery draw. "It was the fairest way of selecting from our many loyal customers," explained Harry.
To finish the evening the Prince and one of his American cousins performed their party piece, which they entitled 'The Mayo Anthem' - a wonderful finale to a wonderful occasion.
Plans over the years between the local community and Mayo County Council, in consultation with the Grimaldi family, to develop the tumbledown cottage, where Princess Grace's grandfather, John Kelly, lived before he emigrated to the States in 1887, came to nought.

But Prince Albert's visit is now expected to lead to new initiatives in this regard.
"I'd say alright there will be something done now," the aforementioned Anne Cawley commented following Wednesday's ceremonies.
This was a topic taken up by the Mayo county manager, Peter Hynes, following the visit.
Mr. Hynes said the restoration of the cottage had been touched on briefly during discussions in Newport.
There was 'a desire on all sides to consolidate the house', he said, and the first objective was to make the house safe.
Erica Gallagher, chairperson of Newport Tidy Towns, was delighted with the way the day had gone and the fact the town was looking spick and span for the occasion.
The long awaited memorial to Princess Grace was what the town needed, Ms. Gallagher said, before adding wistfully: "Let's hope Prince Albert has brought a big fat chequebook with him."