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Royal coins switch to N. Ireland

THE Queen is to distribute Maundy money in Ireland this Easter, the first time the money has been distributed outside England and Wales.

Buckingham Palace announced last week that the Queen will distribute the specially minted coins, known as Maundy money, in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, on 20 March.

The service takes place each year on Maundy Thursday. The Queen presents elderly people with the coins in recognition of their service to the local community or church. This year there will be 164 recipients — 82 men and 82 women — as the Queen is in her 82nd year. Church leaders have nominated people from all over Northern Ireland.

The Dean of Armagh, the Very Revd Patrick Rooke, said: “This is a great honour. We are excited, and certain that this will be a memorable and special service for all those involved.”

The First Minister of Northern Ireland, Ian Paisley, told the Ulster Gazette that the Queen “certainly knows she is very welcome in Northern Ireland”.



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