Updated at 7.20am

PRINCE CHARLES HAS said it would be a tragedy if Ireland’s relationship with the UK broke down in any way, speaking a few words of Irish last night.

“Go raibh maith agaibh as an fáilte croíúil,” Prince Charles said during a speech at the Áras, meaning ‘thank you for the heartfelt welcome’.

An evening meeting and dinner at President Michael D Higgins and Sabina was the first part of Prince Charles and his wife Camilla’s three-day visit.

RTÉ reports that there were “two significant speeches about British-Irish relations” made at the function.

The Prince of Wales meets local school children in Dromore Village in County Down, during a visit to Northern Ireland yesterday. Niall Carson Niall Carson

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall have accepted an invitation to visit Kilkenny City and Thomastown and will arrive in the Marble City early this morning.

The Royal Party will leave Kilkenny shortly after 1pm and travel to Thomastown for a short visit before departing at 2.20pm. Kilkenny Castle will be closed until 2pm.

Prince Charles is also expected to attend the Defence Forces’ UN training camp, while the Duchess of Cornwall will visit the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens during their visit.

PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Royal road closures

Gardaí will close a number of roads around Kilkenny today as Prince Charles comes to the city.

Gardaí say that the city will be open for business as usual and the public is invited to come and view the visit.

Those who are planning to go to Kilkenny are asked to arrive in good time, and not to carry large luggage or bags as these items will not be permitted in certain viewing areas.

Anyong with special requirements is asked to call Kilkenny Garda Station at 056 777 5023.

While gardaí say there will be minor delays, there will be road closures from 5am this morning. No vehicular traffic will be permitted in these areas.

These are:

• Castle Road from Castle Gardens to the Parade. No access will be permitted to the area and local diversions will be in place via Nuncio Road or Woodbine Avenue
• Access to Woodlawn, Archers Avenue and Castle Gardens will be permitted to residents only. Father Hayden Road will be closed from the junction with Fiacre’s Place. Access will be to residents only
• Patrick Street will be closed from the junction of Ormond Road
• Ormonde Street will be closed from Ormonde Street Multi storey car park to Patrick Street. Access to the car park will be via Lower New Street only
• High Street will be closed from the Parliament Street junction and traffic will be diverted via Bateman Quay
• Rose Inn Street will be closed and traffic will be diverted via Bateman Quay
• James Street will be closed from the junction with Parnell Street.

Closures will be in place until around 1.30pm. All streets will have pedestrian access with the exception of Castle Road.

In Thomastown, there will be no through route from 1pm to 2.30pm.

Read: Michael D Higgins will have a private dinner with Prince Charles tonight