Duke of Edinburgh gets soda bread tips on Armagh visit

The Duke of Edinburgh met young people at St Catherine’s College in Armagh when he visited to mark 25 years of its Joint Initiative Award.

The award is a collaboration between The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and Gaisce – The President’s Award.

The duke met pupils who were taking part in activities including baking soda bread, learning traditional Irish instruments and Irish dancing.

To achieve an award, participants build their own programmes – choosing activities and a cause to volunteer for, in order to achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold.

The initiative aims to enable more young people from all backgrounds in Northern Ireland to have the opportunity to discover new passions, gain vital skills and grow in resilience and self-belief.

Prince Edward was presented with an engraved bowl with the Joint Awards Initiative 25th anniversary logo which was created by pupils in the technology department.

After finding out how to make soda bread from the pupils in the cookery department, he was presented an Ulster GAA jersey while watching pupils take part in Gaelic football, hurling and camogie.

Blaithin Mohan, 16, who is working towards her Silver Award by doing Irish dancing said: “Meeting the duke was a surreal experience- it was such a privilege to get to speak to him and tell him how much I enjoyed it.”

Prince Edward was joined by the CEO of Gaisce – The President’s Award, Avril Ryan.

“Together, we are committed to ensuring young people in Northern Ireland continue to achieve and benefit from Award participation for the next 25 years and beyond,” Ms Ryan said.