This summer was also rendered memorable for the visit paid by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York to Ireland. Their Royal Highnesses spent a fortnight there, stopping with the Lord-Lieutenant, Earl Cadogan, in Dublin; afterwards visiting some of the great houses of the Irish nobility, and seeing a great deal of the lovely scenery for which Ireland is famous, including Killarney, from which the Duke takes the title of Baron.
In Dublin the Duke of Cornwall and York and the ever-popular Lord Roberts were installed with great pomp and ceremony as Knights of the Order of St. Patrick. The Duke wore the same sword which his father had used when he was installed some three-and-twenty years before.
The Duke of Cornwall and York in his Robes as a Knight of St. Patrick
From a Photograph by Lafayette
His Royal Highness on the termination of the visit wrote the following letter to Lord Cadogan, the Lord-Lieutenant:—
“Mount Stewart, Newtownards, Co. Down,
8th September 1897.
“Dear Lord Cadogan—I cannot leave Ireland without expressing to you, on behalf of the Duchess of York and myself, our very sincere appreciation of the warm and enthusiastic welcome which has been accorded to us during our visit by all classes and in all parts of the country.
“Nothing could have exceeded the kindness and hospitality which have been shown to us, and the agreeable impressions which we have derived from our visit can never be effaced from our memory. I regret that the limited time at our disposal rendered it impossible for us to see many districts in a country which contains so much that is beautiful and interesting. I hope, however, that we may have further opportunities of improving our acquaintance with the people of Ireland and with the country of which they are so justly proud.—Believe me, very sincerely yours,