Will and Kate: Good vibes from VIP visit rescue Carrickfergus from unhappy headlines

By Adam Kula
Published 7th Oct 2022, 15:45 BST
Updated 7th Oct 2022, 15:57 BST
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A Carrickfergus businesswoman has said this week’s royal visit to the town by its baron and baroness has re-invigorated the sometimes-maligned area with a “positive vibe”.

Kirsty Fallis was speaking after the visit of Prince William and Princess Kate to the town.

Part of the family which runs Dobbins Inn, Miss Fallis got to meet the royal duo on Thursday when they visited Carrick Connect, a support service for troubled youth with which she is involved.

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The town centre was brought to a virtual standstill during the visit, which saw crowds lining the streets behind crash barriers and amid tight security.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 6th October 2022 The Prince and Princess of Wales visit Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, as part of a visit to Northern Ireland. The visited Carrick Connect, a youth charity based in Carrickfergus which offers support services to local young people experiencing social or emotional difficulties. Their Royal Highnesses will learnt about some of the projects the organisation is currently implementing in the community, and met with the charity’s team of mentors and some of the young people who benefit from the various projects. The Royal Highnesses then met with members of the local community along the town’s seafront. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEyePress Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 6th October 2022 The Prince and Princess of Wales visit Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, as part of a visit to Northern Ireland. The visited Carrick Connect, a youth charity based in Carrickfergus which offers support services to local young people experiencing social or emotional difficulties. Their Royal Highnesses will learnt about some of the projects the organisation is currently implementing in the community, and met with the charity’s team of mentors and some of the young people who benefit from the various projects. The Royal Highnesses then met with members of the local community along the town’s seafront. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 6th October 2022 The Prince and Princess of Wales visit Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, as part of a visit to Northern Ireland. The visited Carrick Connect, a youth charity based in Carrickfergus which offers support services to local young people experiencing social or emotional difficulties. Their Royal Highnesses will learnt about some of the projects the organisation is currently implementing in the community, and met with the charity’s team of mentors and some of the young people who benefit from the various projects. The Royal Highnesses then met with members of the local community along the town’s seafront. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

WATCH: Prince William and Kate get rapturous reception in Carrickfergus some 11 years after being made baron of the town... and 332 years after his namesake made landfall on his way to the Boyne

Dobbins Inn, which can trace its history back to the 1590s, wrote on Facebook this week: “We’ve been in business in Carrickfergus for more than 45 years. We’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly.

"Recent events have caused Carrickfergus to be highlighted in not such a positive manner. Let’s change that!”

In recent years the town has seen a handful of murders linked to the local faction of the UDA.

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And the last several days have seen cars torched and massed ranks of masked men swarming around an estate in the town.

Then on Thursday, Kate and William arrived.

"I think it was fantastic,” said Miss Fallis.

"I'm quite vocal about the bad view of Carrickfergus at times; the not-so-positive views about Carrickfergus have been in the papers and media fairly recently.

“So I think the fact that the royals took time out to come and see us is a positive, positive thing for Carrickfergus.“And the thousands of people who came out to see them also just showed that people were really really grateful.

"It came to a lot of people as a surprise, because it had to be kept very hush-hush. There was a real buzz about town.

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"Young children got an opportunity to see the prince and princess and that's going to be with them for the rest of their lives.

"I think it's been a real suceess, brought a real positive vibe to the town.”

Kate and William wed in 2011, and were given the titles Baron and Lady Carrickfergus as a wedding gift by the Queen.

Related topics:CarrickfergusPrince William