Galway is vying to be one of a handful of counties who roll out the red carpet for King Charles’s expected visit to Ireland this autumn.

National media, in Ireland and England, has reported that the monarch is planning to visit Dublin later this year, although Royal sources have dampened down speculation of a Royal trip.

But it is known that political representations are being made to have Galway included on the Royal itinerary, if it happens.

“Charles has visited Galway before when he was Prince. He was accompanied by his wife Camilla. We know that they enjoyed their visit to Galway and they will be welcomed here if they decide to come again,” said a senior political source.

King Charles visited Galway City in May 2015, when he was Prince of Wales and planted a tree at University of Galway.  He was with his wife, then Duchess of Cornwall.

During a special ceremony, the couple planted a sessile oak, also known as the Cornish Oak, on the lawn beside the historic Quadrangle.

The oak tree, the national tree of Ireland and Wales, was damaged by fire last year, although the university has vowed to replace it.

His eldest son, Prince William, and his wife Kate were welcomed to Galway in March 2020.

They engaged with the public before a visit to Tigh Cóilí for a traditional Irish music session, and also played hurling at the Árus Bóthar na Trá home of Salthill/Knocknacarra GAA Club.

“That royal visit to Galway was a huge success for Galway and the Royals. It was good PR. But it also proved that Galway has the capacity, in terms of security and so on, to stage a major visit like this. There are efforts being made for Galway to be included on the itinerary if and when King Charles visits Ireland,” the source said.

There are eleven Irish counties that King Charles has yet to visit, and they will be among the counties vying to make the cut.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who attended the Coronation earlier this year with President Michael D Higgins, has already extended a welcome to the monarch to visit Ireland.