Bells set to ring out for Queen's birthday

Mid and East Antrim Borough is about to ring out its celebration of a very special royal event '“ Her Majesty The Queen's 90th birthday.
St Patrick's.St Patrick's.
St Patrick's.

Many churches within the Borough area have agreed to take part in a special peel of bells that will announce the start of a variety of birthday celebrations.

This will take place on April 21 (Thursday) at 12 noon and follows a request from Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Co Antrim, Joan Christie OBE.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is coordinating the various celebrations for the big day with organiser, Alister Bell, commenting: “The churches involved are many and varied in location and will provide a fitting launch to a day of events to mark this special birthday.”

Later the focus will be when Councillor Billy Ashe, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough is joined by the Vice Lord Lieutenant for Country Antrim, Richard Reade DL, to light a celebratory beacon at Fisherman’s Quay, Carrickfergus.

This is taking place at 9pm and is a link in a nationwide chain of beacons led by Her Majesty lighting the first one that same evening.

Cllr Ashe, said: “This celebratory beacon will underline the very strong links that exist across the whole Borough and the historic town of Carrickfergus in particular with Her Majesty and the other members of the Royal Family.

“I am looking forward to playing our role in the UK-wide birthday celebrations and invite as many people as possible to attend this family-themed event on the evening of Her Majesty’s birthday.”

Family Fun along the Promenade is also being featured - from 7.00 – 9.00pm – with fireworks close to the historic Carrickfergus Castle to conclude the evening.

Attractions will include arts and crafts, carnival stalls, Punch and Judy, live music, face painting and street theatre acts.

The bells will be ringing at:

St Patrick’s, Ballymena

St Cedma’s, Larne

St Patrick’s, Whitehead

St John’s, Islandmagee

The Church of the Holy Name, Greenisland

St MacNissi’s, Larne

St Anthony’s, Craigyhill, Larne

St Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, Carrickfergus.

St Patrick’s, Broughshane

St Saviour’s Church of Ireland, Connor.

Gardenmore Presbyterian Church, Larne.

West Presbyterian Church

Cunningham Memorial Presbyterian Church, Cullybackey

Craigs Parish Church, Cullybackey

Dunaghy Parish Church

Killlagan Parish Church