On his first official visit to the Republic, the Duke of Edinburgh referred yesterday to "these rather artificial divisions between North and South".
Prince Philip announced details in Dublin Castle of a millennium award scheme for young people, to be hosted jointly by Gaisce, the President's award scheme for young people, and his own Award Scheme. He paid courtesy calls on the President, Mrs McAleese, and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.
The duke later met the North's First and Deputy First Ministers as he started a three-day visit to Northern Ireland.