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.
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
The Vice Lord-Lieutenant Catherine Champion attended the Federation of Women’s Institutes Ards Peninsula Area Group ‘Afternoon of Christmas Music and Readings’ at Ballyblack Presbyterian Church. The choirs of Ballyblack WI and Quoile Area led the service. The collection was in aid of Ards and North Down Women’s Aid and FWINI (Federation of Women’s Institutes of Northern Ireland).
L-R Christine Rankin (Ards Area Executive Member); Anne Beggs (Ards Area President); Vice Lord-Lieutenant; Mayor of Ards and North Down Councillor Gillian McCollum; Emalyn Turkington (CEO North Down and Ards Women’s Aid); Brenda Richardson (Federation Chair of FWINI).
Picture Credit: Newtownards Chronicle
