This morning the Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, undertook a citizenship ceremony in Lisburn, kindly organised by Lisburn & Castereagh City Council.

​Congratulations to the new citizens, who came from 14 different countries.

The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, KStJ, Knight Commander of the Commandery of Ards which oversees the work of the Order of St John in Northern Ireland, received HRH The Princess Royal, in her capacity as Commandant-in-Chief (Youth) of St John Ambulance, at Ballymena Showground for a St John Ambulance NI Youth Centenary Event.

2022 marks the centenary of St John's work with young people. During the visit HRH met volunteers from the Badgers and Cadets, including Commanderies Cadet of the Year 2022 William Somerville from Carrickfergus; presented 11 Grand Prior's Awards to young people; and met the Trustees and Executive Team of St John Ambulance NI.

The Lord-Lieutenant was accompanied by his Lord-Lieutenant Cadet, Rhys Millar. He was also assisted during the visit by Deputy Lieutenant Dr Norman Walker, OBE, CStJ, TD, JP, DL, Lead Volunteer of St John Ambulance NI. 

​The High Sheriff of County Antrim, Mr John Lockett, OBE, and the Mayor of Mid & East Antrim Borough Council also attended.

HRH The Princess Royal then visited the Irish Equine Rehabilitation and Fitness Centre, Lower Ballinderry, Lisburn, and was received by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mrs Miranda Gordon, DL.

The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant then moved to Hillsborough Castle, where HRH The Princess Royal attended the Garden Party.

This morning flags were raised throughout the County to mark Armed Forces Day. The local Councils organised ceremonies in Antrim, Carrickfergus and Lisburn.

The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim was represented by:

• Antrim - Mr Danny Kinahan, DL
• Carrickfergus - Mr Edward Montgomery, MBE, DL
• Lisburn - Mr Eric Rainey, CVO, MBE, DL

The High Sheriff of County Antrim, Mr John Lockett, OBE, attended the ceremony on Lisburn. 

Today the Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, KStJ, in his capacity as Knight Commander of the Commandery of Ards, The Order of St John, attended the annual Commandery Service of Commemoration and Re-dedication in St Columb's Cathedral, Londonderry.

The Commandery Chapter met in the Bishop's Gate Hotel before the service for lunch. Where they dined out the previous Knight Commander of Ards, The Viscount Brookeborough, KG, KStJ.

Over the extended Platinum Jubilee weekend, in addition to the beacon lighting ceremonies, the Lieutenancy has been represented at many other events.

• Mr Richard Reade, DL, represented the Lord-Lieutenant at Royal Portrush Golf Club’s Jubilee Celebrations and at a Jubilee Party in Broughshane.
• Mr James Perry, MBE, DL, visited Monkstown Community Association, recent winners of the QAVS, as they unveiled some artwork to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee.
• Mr Freddie Hall, OBE, QGM, DL, attended the Damask Community Outreach Jubilee Event in Lisburn.
• Colonel Stewart Douglas, OBE, DL, attended the Mid & East Antrim Borough Council Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving in Ballymena, 
• Colonel Neil Salisbury, OBE, DL, attended an East Antrim Battalion Boy’s Brigade Jubilee event in the DeCourcy Centre, Carrickfergus.
• Mr Eric Rainey, CVO, MBE, DL, and Mr Freddie Hall, OBE, QGM, DL, joined the Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim and attended the Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast. 

The Lord-Lieutenantof County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, has expressed his sincere thanks to all his deputies who have assisted him over a memorable weekend and also thanked the people of County Antrim for organising and attending so many wonderful Platinum Jubilee events. 

Here is a variety of pictures from some of the events mentioned above:

As part of Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Lieutenancy was involved in Platinum Jubilee Beacon Lighting Ceremonies throughout the County. Most of the Ceremonies were organised by the Local Councils and our thanks to them for all their hard work.

The Lieutenancy was represented in:

• Antrim - The Hon. Shane O’Neill, DL
• Ballycastle - Colonel Neil Salisbury, OBE, DL
• Ballymena - Mr Andrew Frazer, DL
• Ballymoney - Mr Peter Mackie, DL
• Carrickfergus - Mrs Julia Shirley, DL
• Larne - The Earl of Antrim, DL
• Newtownabbey - Vice Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mrs Miranda Gordon, DL

The Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Mr Andrew Frazer were both joined by one of the Lord-Lieutenant Cadets. Ordinary Cadet Adam Barr, of Sea Cadet Corps TS Ulster, joined the Vice Lord-Lieutenant in Newtownabbey. Cadet Sergeant Rhys Millar, of Air Training Corps 1919 (Newtownabbey) Squadron, joined Mr Frazer in Ballymena.

There was also a separate Beacon Lighting Ceremony at Knockagh Monument, organised by the the RICS, which was attended by Mrs Jackie, Stewart, MBE, DL, a short video was recorded and published by BBC NI, which can be viewed here.

Congratulations to the eight groups from County Antrim that have been awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), which were announced today to coincide with the start of Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The eight winners were:

The winners are:
​
* Ballymaconnelly Renewal Group, Ballymoney
* Carrick Connect, Carrickfergus
* Home-Start Lisburn, Lisburn
* Hope House Ireland, Islandmagee
* Monkstown Community Association, Monkstown
* The Citrah Foundation, Carrickfergus
* The River Bann and Lough Neagh  Association Company, Randalstown
* Whiteabbey Community Group, Whiteabbey

The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, said: "Many congratulations to these worthy recipients. It is particularly special to receive this prestigious award in the year of Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

This is also a fantastic result for County Antrim; receiving 8 out the 13 awards issued to Northern Ireland. I would also like to thank James Perry, MBE, DL, the Lieutenancy lead for the QAVS for all of his work, and all the DLs involved in the extensive assessment process for their support."

Many congratulations to the 19 people from County Antrim who received National Honours in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, which was released to coincide with the start of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. 

The breakdown of awards is:

• 3 OBEs
• 7 MBEs
• 9 BEMs

The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim and Antrim Lieutenancy join in congratulating all the worthy recipients and thank them for their selfless service to the County and their communities. 

The Lord-Lieutenant would also like to congratulate his friend, and colleague, the Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast, Mrs Fionnuala Jay O'Boyle on her appointment as a Dame of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE). Many congratulations, Dame Fionnuala!

​The full list was published by the London Gazette and can be viewed here: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/63714/supplement/B1

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.