HER Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, Anne, began her one-day trip in Northern Ireland at a prestigious event at Hillsborough Castle on the morning of Friday, July 2, where she met staff, volunteers and community heroes who played a key role in the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Her engagement was at Hillsborough Castle, where she met representatives from all across Northern Ireland from a range of voluntary and charitable organisations in their local communities.

Three Fermanagh natives were in attendance – Conor McCann, Rita O’Loughlin, of Fermanagh B-Friend Hub, and Mary Maguire,

Conor otherwise known as ‘DJ Rockstar’ was one of those who met The Princess Royal.

He had headed a team of hard-working and creative minds, generous business owners throughout Fermanagh and a loyal community of disco and bingo supporters to raise vital funds for the local and wider community during the pandemic.

Conor said: “It’s not often you get the chance to let alone meet but be commended by HRH Princess Anne.

“I must say, she was delightful, and genuinely interested in the superb work and impact the Rockstar community had made to the people of our beautiful county of Fermanagh.”

Conor continued: “I was humbled, not only by her knowledge of my charity work, but by her kind and sincere approach to my amazing journey over the past two years.

“She was overwhelmed by the community spirit in Fermanagh and how through such challenging times, we came together to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate, raising nearly £40,000.

“She was so regal, yet so down to earth at the same time. A very special moment.”

Rita O’Loughlin, Fermanagh B-Friend Hub, said: “ This was a lovely opportunity for the B-Friend Hub to share our experience of supporting older people throughout the past 16 months, and Princess Anne recognised the real challenges that older people faced during the shielding period of the pandemic, and that phone line befriending was so much more than just a social phone call.”

Mary Maguire, a retired community midwife who now works part-time with SureStart, said: “Thank you to everyone for the well wishes. It was a privilege and a wonderful day.”

Speaking on behalf of SureStart, Jenny Irvine said: “We think Mary is an absolute star – she epitomises kindness and empathy. The support and reassurance Mary gave to frightened and vulnerable women during Covid was outstanding.”

“Mary supported the distribution of food and hygiene supplies during the lockdown.

“Seeing Mary arrive with a box of groceries and a bumper pack of nappies was a high point for many Fermanagh families, during what was for many a very difficult period.”

The trio were accompanied throughout the day by Lord Brookeborough, who guided them through the afternoon and helped put them all at ease as they received their award from The Princess Royal.

Lord Lieutenant for Fermanagh, Lord Brookeborough said: “It was a privilege to be able to take three people from Fermanagh who have worked so hard during the Coronavirus pandemic to meet the Princess Royal.”