The Platinum Jubilee is well underway and the Lieutenancy was already been busy attending events throughout the County. 

• Dr Sheelagh Hillan, MBE, DL, represented the Lord-Lieutenant at a Platinum Jubilee Party held at Duneane Primary School, Toomebridge.
• Vice Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mrs Miranda Gordon, DL, represented the Lord-Lieutenant at a Platinum Jubilee Coin Presentation organised by Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, in Newtownabbey.
• Mr James Perry, MBE, DL, also represented the Lord-Lieutenant at a Platinum Jubilee Coin Presentation organised by Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, in Antrim.
• Vice Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mrs Miranda Gordon, DL, represented the Lord-Lieutenant at a Platinum Jubilee event at Earlview Primary School, Newtownabbey. 

 
Over the next few days Platinum Jubilee Beacons Ceremonies will take place in: Antrim, Ballycastle, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey. Lisburn Council are sadly only arranging a ceremony in Royal Hillsborough. There is a separate beacon ceremony at Knockagh Monument. The Lieutenancy will also be represented at other events and services around the County.

The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, will be attending: the Platinum Jubilee Service in Lisburn Cathedral (Wednesday); the Royal Gun Salute, with all the Northern Irish Lord-Lieutenants, at Hillsborough Castle, Royal Hillsborough (Thursday); the Platinum Jubilee Service for Her Majesty The Queen in St Paul's Cathedral, London, followed by the reception in the Guildhall (Friday); the opening of the Platinum Jubilee Clockwork Garden, Antrim (Saturday) and the Platinum Jubilee Service for Northern Ireland in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast (Sunday).

This evening the Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, chaired a Lieutenancy meeting in Muckamore, kindly hosted by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Miranda Gordon, DL.

It was a timely chance to catch-up following the easing of COVID restrictions, which had made it very challenging for the whole Lieutenancy to get together in person, and to also discuss the looming Platinum Jubilee. A lot of ground was covered, with other updates including; a report from the Lord-Lieutenant; the QAVS; the QAE; National Honours; and Birthdays & Anniversaries amongst many other items.

Following the productive meeting, the Lieutenancy met for dinner, which included enjoying these fabulous Platinum Jubilee puddings, prepared by Mrs Julia Shirley, DL.

This morning the Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, joined the North Irish Horse Regimental Association and B (North Irish Horse) Squadron, SNIY Yeomanry, for the Service of Commemoration and Parade to mark the Battle of the Hitler Line in Carrickfergus.

The Lord-Lieutenant took the salute, which was particularly poignant for him given he served with the North Irish Horse in the 1970s and his father commanded the regiment in the 1960s and served as their Honorary Colonel.

He was joined by his Lord-Lieutenant Cadet, Ordinary Cadet Adam Barr, Sea Cadets Corps TS Ulster.

Dr Norman Walker, OBE, TD, JP, DL, represented the Lord-Lieutenant at the ceremony today as Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) conferred the Freedom of the City of Lisburn & Castlereagh upon Health and Social Care (HSC) staff in Northern Ireland.

Hundreds of HSC staff were celebrated at an award ceremony and garden party in Castle Gardens, Lisburn. The event was packed with staff from all aspects of HSC life including nurses, porters, doctors, care home workers, corporate staff, dieticians, mid-wives, pharmacists, social workers and support workers.
For more information, please click on this link: https://www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/news/hsc-staff-receive-freedom-of-the-city-of-lisburn-castlereagh

This morning the Earl of Antrim, DL, represented the Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim and delivered a 106th birthday card to Mrs Mary Hawthorne in Larne.

The Lord-Lieutenant and wider Antrim Lieutenancy join in wishing Mrs Hawthorne a very happy birthday.

Do you know someone with a milestone birthday or anniversary? If so, please visit our website by clicking here to find out how to apply for a special card.

This afternoon the Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, and Mrs McCorkell, attended the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately they took the Irish weather with them and it was rather wet so no photos were taken.
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​To find out more about Garden Parties or to nominate someone to attend, please click here.

This evening the Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, joined 817 Lisburn Squadron Air Cadets at All Saints' Church, Eglantine, where there was an enrollment service.

During the service ten new cadets were enrolled, there was a surprise presentation of a new Commission Scrolls for OC Flt Lt Wilson and 2IC Fg Off Jackson and the Lord-Lieutenant was inducted formally as Squadron President.

The Lord-Lieutenant commented that he was deeply honoured to be appointed to this prestigious post and that he looks forward to continuing to supporting this wonderful squadron.

​The service was officiated by Padre Rev Jason Kernohan, who is also the Lord-Lieutenant's Chaplain.