Prince Charles

Prince Charles

Britain's Prince Charles was given advice on how to drink cider on a visit to Northern Ireland.

The 65-year-old royal and the Duchess of Cornwall was introduced to ancient folk group who wore woven straw costumes, as they toured Enniskillen Castle museum in Co Fermanagh.

Charles praised the Aughakillymaude mummers, who perform mid-winter plays to ward off evil spirits, for maintaining the tradition, and said: "I'm so glad you keep that tradition going."

Captain Mummer, Jim Ledwith, told Charles that they get into the spirit when they meet up with similar groups from England, who drink cider.

Since their straw costume covers their face, Charles enquired: "But you take the lid off first before you pour it in?"

Captain Ledwith agreed and the prince, who turned to another mummer, added: "By God, you must get pretty hot in there."

According to the Belfast Telegraph newspaper, the mummer replied: "It gets hot surely. You don't want to have hay fever."

Charles and Camilla are on a two-day visit to Northern Ireland.