NI tributes to Queen Mother

Queen Mother enjoys pageant in honour of her birthday

A 21-gun salute has been fired at Hillsborough Castle on Friday as part of the celebrations to mark the Queen Mother's 100th birthday.

The castle in County Down is the Queen's official residence in Northern Ireland.

The Queen Mother has visited Northern Ireland 14 times.

Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble has been among the first to wish Her Majesty a happy birthday.

"To reach 100 is a tremendous event for anybody, but for someone who has played such a central part in the life of the nation through this century, this is obviously quite a considerable event," he said.

"It brings us to reflect on the Queen Mother's contribution to our history throughout this century.

David Trimble: "She has made great contribution to our history"

"Of course everyone thinks about the wartime period, but I would also like to think how over the past few decades she has moved into the hearts of all of the people.

"She was a very regular visitor to Northern Ireland and very well received. I'm sure everyone would like to join with me in extending our best wishes and our appreciation for the service she has given through her life."

The Queen Mother first visited Northern Ireland in 1924.

As the then Duchess of York, she accompanied her husband on a tour across the province.

She next returned in 1951, accompanied by Princess Margaret. As Europe and the empire continued to rebuild after the World War II the royal party arrived for the Festival of Britain exhibition at Castlereagh.

The Queen Mother's links to Northern Ireland are cemented every year when she presents the Irish Guards with a shamrock on St Patrick's Day, a tradition begun in 1900, the year she was born.

She has also devoted much of her time to the Royal British Legion attending remembrance ceremonies every year.

Seven months after the IRA Remembrance Day bombing in Enniskillen in 1987, the Queen Mother travelled to County Fermanagh to meet those bereaved and injured.

Her last visit Northern Ireland was to a garden party in her honour on the eve of her 90th birthday.