The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, His Majesty’s personal representative for the County has released a Christmas message:
“It has been re-assuring to have had a relatively uneventful year after the previous two years. That said, we were all shocked to hear the sad news about HM The King and then HRH The Princess of Wales’s diagnosis and at one stage we feared the year could have taken a more dramatic path. I wish them both continued success with their treatments and send them best wishes from County Antrim for their respective recoveries. It was wonderful to see our own Baroness Carrickfergus (HRH The Princess of Wales’s Northern Irish title) back out on duty again during the recent State Visit and at her Carol Service.
Despite the lack of ‘State’ events, we have followed on from the strong year last year by increasing the number of Lieutenancy engagements and events attended across the County. I would like to thank all of our Councils: Antrim & Newtownabbey, Causeway Coast & Glens, Lisburn & Castlereagh and Mid & East Antrim for all that they do to coordinate so many memorable events in the County.
I wanted highlight a few of the varied achievements of the Lieutenancy during 2024 and I take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to all of the Antrim Lieutenancy, and to my Lord-Lieutenant Cadets, for their support, much of which takes place behind the scenes:
- 6 Royal Visits to Co. Antrim: HM The Queen to Thiepval Barracks (March), The Duchess of Edinburgh to Thiepval Barracks (March), Princess Royal to Antrim (April), Princess Royal to Glenarm (May), Duke of Gloucester to Whitehead Railway Museum and Duchess of Gloucester to Lisburn (Oct). Thank you to Randal and Ivy for their involvement in these
- Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended the Hillsborough Garden Party
- Three Lord-Lieutenant Cadets (two girls and one boy), two from 1st NI Bn ACF and one from Lisnagarvey CCF
- LL involved with Duke of Edinburgh’s visit mark D of E’s 25th Anniversary of Joint Irish award
- Lieutenancy visits to Ulster Aviation Society, Red Bay and the King’s Trust (formerly Prince’s Trust).
- DLs have attended 124 events (inc Remembrance events), on behalf of the LL, 46 more than 2023
- Events held throughout the County to mark the 80th Anniversary of D Day, including Beacon Lighting Ceremonies
- 5 King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) awards won for 2023-24
- A County winner of the King’s Award for Enterprise (KAE)
- LL attended KAE reception at Buckingham Palace and Lieutenancy represented at St Paul’s Cathedral for Royal Humane Society’s 250th Anniversary
- Lieutenancy representation at the event to celebrate the NI Olympians
- Armed Forces Day NI held in Newtownabbey and Air Show in Portrush
- LL conducted 6 Citizenship Ceremonies
- 36 honours awarded to people in Co. Antrim. 1 MBE and 19 BEMs presented by the LL at Hillsborough Castle
- Coronation Medal presentations to St John Ambulance (NI) and the RNLI
- Co. Antrim attendees at both the Buckingham Palace & Hillsborough Castle Garden Parties; and the Princess of Wales’s Carol Service
- 22 Remembrance events attended
- 42 100th Birthdays, one 105th Birthday and two 106th
- Wedding Anniversaries: 11 Diamond, one 65th, one Platinum, one 72nd and one 75th
- New website launched. Growing following on X and Instagram.
In closing, on behalf of HM The King, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of the selfless healthcare workers and emergency services personnel who have kept us safe this year and who will be working over Christmas and New Year. To all the volunteers, charities and local business who have done their bit to help others, I remain inspired by your selflessness and commitment to your communities and I thank you.
I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and all best wishes for the New Year.”