Down Lieutenancy
A beautiful summer’s evening saw The Lord Dunleath DL representing the Down Lieutenancy, lighting a beacon at Burr Point, Ballyhalbert, the most easterly point on the mainland of Northern Ireland, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D Day Landings. A moving ceremony with the added poignancy of its setting by the sea. He was joined by Alderman Robert Adair, Ards and North Down Borough Council.
During the D Day 80th Anniversary Commemoration event in Bangor, Vice Lord-Lieutenant Catherine Champion DL presented medals to members of 591 (Antrim Artillery) Field Squadron, 71 Engineer Regiment, for their recent UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus.
The D Day 80th Anniversary Commemoration event included a Drumhead Service and a Beating Retreat performed by The Band, Bugles, Pipes and Drums of The Royal Irish Regiment.
A Gun Salute was fired by the Royal Artillery over Belfast Lough. Many US Navy ships assembled in Belfast Lough ahead of the D Day Landings in Normandy.
(L-R Back) Polish Consul Mr Mariusz Stus, Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet Sgt Francesca Hamilton, US Consul General James Applegate, CEO Ards and North Down Borough Council Susie McCullough, (L-R Front) High Sheriff Sue Wild, Vice Lord-Lieutenant Catherine Champion DL Mayor Ards and North Down Borough Council Jennifer Gilmore, Lt Col Kevin Thomas.
Mrs Sara McCorkell DL presenting the King’s Plate to Mr Paddy Twomey, the trainer of The Countess of Tyrone, the winner of the 2024 King’s Plate at Down Royal.
Sunday 19th May, a sunny afternoon saw the County Down Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance for the UDR in Rathfriland organized by the Regimental Association
In March, Her Majesty The Queen arrived at Hillsborough Castle to be greeted by the Lord-Lieutenant. The following day she hosted, as Patron of the Queen’s Reading Room, an afternoon of wonderful Northern Irish Poetry on National Poetry Day. Here she is leaving the Castle with Claire Woods, Head Gardener of Hillsborough Castle.
