Mrs Patrica Perry is the High Sheriff of County Antrim for 2024. Her appointment was announced in the London Gazette on 5th January and can be viewed here.
Patricia is a native of Ballymena and lives between Gracehill and Ahoghill. A teacher by profession she was educated at Ballymena Primary School and then Cambridge House Grammar School before completing her studies in Cardiff, Bristol and London.
The new High Sheriff taught for a number of years in Downshire High School in Carrickfergus before taking over her father’s role as Sub Postmaster in Harryville in Ballymena. She later established an award winning art gallery and gift shop in the village of Ahoghill.
Inner Wheel has played an important part in Patricia’s life over recent years. She was appointed as District Chairman (all Ireland) for the organisation for the year 2020/2021. Inner Wheel is the largest women’s service organisation in the world and it is very appropriate that a member has been appointed as High Sheriff in the year which marks the centenary of the founding of the organisation.
Patricia is involved in a number of other voluntary roles in the local area. She is married to James who is a County Antrim DL. They have two adult children.
She can be contacted at: patricia.e.perry@gmail.com
The Role of High sheriff
High Sheriff Northern Ireland logo (Source: Association of HI NI)
Each County and City Borough also appoints a High Sheriff. The office of High Sheriff is an ancient one that dates back nearly 1,000 years. The office is actually the oldest secular office in the UK. The role has changed considerably over the years and is now an honorary appointment. They are distinct from, and not to be confused with, the Lieutenancy because they are the Monarch’s judicial representative in the County, while the Lord-Lieutenant is the Monarch’s personal representative in the County so they take precedence over the High Sheriff.
A High Sheriff is appointed each year and, in Northern Ireland, hold the post for a calendar year. Future High Sheriffs are appointed via nomination from out-going Sheriffs, in consultation with the Lord-Lieutenant and Northern Ireland Office. The appointment is officially made by the Secretary of State on behalf of The King. The incoming High Sheriff is then officially notified by letter and is sent a warrant of appointment signed by the Secretary of State and a ‘declaration of sheriff’, which has to be sworn. The appointment is announced each year in the London Gazette.
During their year in office, The High Sheriff has three main official functions and some additional honorary roles by invitation:
To attend High Court Judges when they preside over a case in the County. This role is largely in abeyance
To attend the first arrival of any member of the Royal Family in the County on an official visit
Proclamation of an Accession following the death of the Monarch
In addition, the High Sheriff may be asked to attend local civic functions and, in recent years, High Sheriffs have become closely involved with many voluntary sector organisations working in the County.
The High Sheriff of County Antrim read the Accession Proclamation at Antrim Castle Garden on 11th September 2022, proclaiming King Charles III as King, following the passing of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. See video below.
The office of the High Sheriff of County Antrim is also sometimes simply referred to as the ‘Sheriff of Antrim’. It was a frequent and old established practice for Sheriffs of Counties, appointed by His Majesty in Council, to be referred to as ‘High Sheriffs’. The origin of this practice is not known, but it is certainly true that the addition of the word “High” to an office usually signifies a senior Crown appointment e.g. High Commissioner, High Chancellor. In Northern Ireland, Belfast still have a ‘High Sheriff’, the other Counties now formally appoint a Sheriff. They can be identified at events by their badge of office (see below).
Former County Antrim Sheriff, Mr Peter Mackie, DL, founded The High Sheriffs’ Association of Northern Ireland (Company No: NI705636) in 2023. The Association represents all serving and former High Sheriffs/Sheriffs in Northern Ireland and aims to promote the role. If you would like more information, please contact: secretary@highsheriffsni.com
BBC NI did an article on the office of High Sheriff in 2020, which can be viewed here
Former High Sheriffs of County Antrim with the current High Sheriff for 2023, Mr Peter Mackie, DL. (Standing: Major John Pinkerton TD DL, The Hon. Shane O’Neill DL, Rupert Cramsie, John Lockett OBE, James Perry MBE DL, Ronald Hassard, Stephen Montgomery DL. Seated: Gillian Bingham, Peter Mackie DL, Julia Shirley DL).
History of Lieutenancy
The office of Lord-Lieutenant is of military origin and can be said to date back to the reign of Henry VIII…
