In August, 1861, the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, came to the Curragh of Kildare to spend a period with the garrison. He arrived at Kingstown, now Dun Laoghaire, aboard the Connaught and as the steamer rounded the pier head salutes were fired simultaneously from the Ajax man-of-war and the Pigeon-house Fort. The Illustrated London news of August 13, 1861,describes how “On Tuesday the Prince proceeded to the Curragh Camp, where he was received by the Commander-in-Chief, Sir George Brown and a Royal Salute was fired by a field battery of Horse Artillery. A grand review took place on Wednesday and yesterday week there was a brigade review.

The quarters of the Prince of Wales, which are those formerly occupied by Lord Seaton, when Commander of the Forces in Ireland, can be seen by anyone passing on the road through the Curragh to the encampment, from which road they are only a few yards distant. Two men of the Grenadier Guards are placed on sentry outside the entrance and on the grounds inside, which are tastefully laid out, two small tents have been erected. His Royal Highness goes through the routine of military duties every morning with as much exactness as any other officer in the camp. When his morning exercises are over he usually, after lunch, plays games of racket.”