A glimpse for some, but Cork walkabout was just ‘magic’
As 2pm struck in Cork city centre huge crowds gathered along the streets down which the royal motorcade was set to travel.
On the rooftops security personnel cast their eyes over the crowd, but there was little to worry about. This bunch had nothing but good will for the Queen, and the only complaint was that they couldn’t get close enough.
There was a real feeling someone special was in town, and young and old alike wanted a piece of the action. You’d never have believed it was the Queen of the old enemy they had turned out to see. But so it was, and when the large screen at the corner of Grand Parade showed the royal helicopter land at Cork airport the roars went up and the anticipation built — she was en route.
In her red and white outfit, Elaine O’Keeffe from Ballinlough held a Cork flag aloft in the sunshine, ready to display the county colours in honour of the Queen.
“I am very excited about seeing her, and for her to go into the English Market, it’s such a privilege.
“My 91-year-old mother Una Reilly and my grandfather before that had a tripe and drisheen stand in the English Market so for her it is amazing. She is at home at the moment but we were hoping to bring her down to the market later on.”
Canadian UCC students Jessica Whita and Tessia Falsetto said while some people seemed not to have any interest in the visit, they were hoping to catch a glimpse of their monarch.
“I saw her in Ottawa last year,” Ms Falsetto said. “So I’m looking forward to seeing her again. Canadians like the Queen, she is still our monarch and William and Kate are planning a trip to Canada soon.”
Then, just after 2.30pm, led by a fleet of garda motorcycles, the now-familiar Range Rover arrived. The crowd went mad, but it was impossible to see unless you were right at the front of the barriers, and as quickly as you could say her name Queen Elizabeth II had ducked into the market. There was some disappointment — but still a chance to see her on the big screens.
On St Patrick’s Street, those on the streets followed the walkabout on a mammoth screen, and hundreds watched as just metres away the royal couple’s tour of the market took place.
But it was the impromptu conversation with a group of school children on the way out which really stole the show.
“She’s stopped, she’s talking to some school kids outside,” one well-wisher informed the rest who couldn’t see.
Everyone gasped. Finally, engagement with the ordinary folk. But perhaps the most amazing thing of all to behold was the utter exhilaration on the faces of grown men and women when they got a flash of “that wave”.
One man almost skipped away from the barriers and summed it up in one word: “magic”.
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