14 June 2018

The world famous English Market will once again play centre stage as Cork welcomes some high profile royal guests. Today, Thursday 14 th June, the oldest indoor food market in Europe will welcome HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall who will visit and take a guided tour of the English Market.

The royal couple will follow in the footsteps of HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh who took the same tour in 2011.

The English Market grows in popularity each year as a prominent visitor attraction in Cork City Centre and is delighted to welcome such dignified guests this summer.

Speaking about the visit, English Market Trader Pat O’Connell who famously welcomed HM Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 said “It is a huge opportunity for us here in the English Market and for Cork as a whole to showcase, on an international stage, the unique offering and unmistakable atmosphere we have here in Cork. Visits like this are not only an honour but are a global advertising opportunity and we are thrilled that HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall have chosen to stop here. We have created a hamper with a range of products from all of the traders here in the market which will be presented to them and we hope they bring it home to Buckingham Palace and share with the rest of the royal family.”

This visit comes at a very special time for the English Market as 2018 marks a significant milestone in the markets history. This summer the English Market will celebrate its 230 th anniversary and the royal visit today will kick start a summer of celebrations.

Speaking about the 230 th birthday, Órla Lannin, Manager of the English Market said “We are very excited to celebrate 230years in business this year. We have some great plans for celebrating this milestone and indeed celebrating the generations of traders, customers and visitors who have passed through the market over the last two centuries. To have HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall here at the start of these celebrations is special in so many ways and we are really looking forward to welcoming them”

As HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall make their way through the market they will stop and engage with several of the market traders and learn a bit more about Corks culinary offering. The royal couple will then unveil a solid brass plaque to commemorate their visit before being presented with a selection of fresh produce from the English Market to enjoy.