The Kilkenny man who was instrumental in getting Kilkenny on the itinerary for the upcoming Royal visit will be honoured with an OBE next Friday.
It was announced back in December that he would be included in the list of honours for 2017 and now its emerged that Paul Smithwick will be rewarded with the Order of the British Empire during the visit of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
Charles and Camilla and Paul Smithwick’s family will be among up to 100 people at a special ceremony in Dublin where the honour will be bestowed.
It’s understood it will be the first time a future British monarch awarded an OBE in Ireland.
Paul Smithwick has been hosting banquets in Kilkenny Castle for British amabassadors since 1972.
Meanwhile, security arrangements are being put in place for the upcoming visit. Gardai and Defence Forces have been seen scoping various sites locally ahead of Charles and Camilla’s arrival in Kilkenny.
