Royals to begin irish visit today

Britain's Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, will arrive in the west of Ireland later today to start their four-day Royal visit to the country.

The couple will travel to Galway this afternoon, where they have a number of engagements arranged, including a visit by Prince Charles to National Union of Ireland Galway.

The couple are also set to attend a private dinner with President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina at Lough Cutra, Co Galway tonight.

During the day Prince Charles is expected to meet Sinn Féin Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness. It will be the first such meeting in the Republic between Sinn Féin leadership and a member of the British Royal family since partition in 1920.

In 2012, Mr McGuinness shook hands with Queen Elizabeth at a function in Belfast's Lyric Theatre in his capacity as Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister.

The visit has been described by both the British Embassy as another important step in promoting peace and reconciliation.