Down Lieutenancy
Dr Robert Logan DL attended the official handover of a Harrier Jump Jet to the Ulster Aviation Society (UAS) Museum, in April, by Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth, Chief of the Air Staff, Patron of the UAS, and a native of Northern Ireland, who had personally flown this specific jet.
Pictured are (L-R) Mr David McCorkell Lord Lieutenant of County Antrim, Alderman Amanda Grehan Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth, Dr Robert Logan DL.
Amanda Blackmore DL attended, on 26th April 2026, the dedication of a memorial in Newtownards commemorating The Royal Irish Constabulary, hosted by the RUC GC Association Newtownards Branch. This is the first memorial to be dedicated to the RIC in the island of Ireland. Two other memorials were dedicated in London, in 1937 and 1939, by the RIC ex-officers association.
Cadet Sergeant Callum Porter was appointed as the Co Down Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet in March 2026.
Dr Ivor Cairns was appointed High Sheriff for County Down in January 2026.
Pictured L-R: Professor Mike Mawhinney (High Sheriff Co Down 2023 and Hon Secretary of High Sheriffs’ Association of NI); HMLL Gawn Rowan Hamilton; Vice Lord-Lieutenant Catherine Champion; Pete Leckey (High Sheriff Co Down 2025); Peter Mackie (Chair High Sheriffs’ Association of NI).
400 years of the Presbyterian Church in Ballywalter were celebrated in March with a series of events over several days. The Vice Lord-Lieutenant is pictured with (L-R) Billy Carlisle of Ballywalter Historical Society; historian Dr William Roulston (who gave a talk on the first minister James Hamilton) and Reverend Gareth Simpson the current minister.
Picture Credit: Newtownards Chronicle