Duke of Edinburgh gets soda bread tips on Armagh visit

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, standing at a school bench chatting to a pupil in a classroom, there are teachers and staff members standing around them. The pupil is wearing an apron and there is baskets of bread on the table and mixing bowls. — Image caption,
The Duke Of Edinburgh met with young people at St Catherine's College, Armagh to celebrate 25 years of the Joint Award Initiative

2 October 2024

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 Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, in a school hall chatting to members of a local GAA team. The Duke has been presented with a GAA jersey. There is a yellow sign behind them that says 'Youth Without Limits' in black writing.

Aaron McCracken

The duke was presented with an Ulster GAA jersey

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.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, in a classroom, chatting to a girl in a green apron. There are mixing bowls and loaves of bread on the bench.

Aaron McCracken

The Duke of Edinburgh was given some tips on how to make soda bread by the young people who are baking for their Award skill

'A surreal experience'

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.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, is being presented with a hurl by a group of pupils from St Catherine's College, Armagh. The hurl has a green bow wrapped around it.

Aaron McCracken

Pupils of St Catherine's College, Armagh present the Duke of Edinburgh with a hurl

Aaron McCracken

The Duke of Edinburgh helps put a Joint Award Initiative logo on a bowl

'A surreal experience'

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