HSH Prince Albert and Princess Charlene last week enjoyed a short and very informal break in Ireland. With a small group of close friends, the royal couple visited Brú na Bóinne, an outstanding prehistoric settlement in County Meath, north of Dublin, and Newgrange, a Stone Age monument that has been described as the jewel in the crown of Ireland’s ancient east.

The group, totalling 18 in all, had lunch at the Monasterboice Inn, where, according to the local press, the Prince had chowder and a local drink called Hophouse 13. The young Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella were not with the party.

Prince Albert has strong links with Ireland, having first visited with Prince Rainier, Princess Grace and older sister Princess Caroline on an official state visit in 1961 that ruled the headlines for several days.

The Prince returned with his bride-to-be shortly before their wedding in 2011. (Feature photo: 56th International Television Festival/Facebook Palais Princier de Monaco)

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