NI celebrates Golden Jubilee

Celebrations kicked off in Carrickfergus

Celebrations to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee have started across Northern Ireland.

Parades, street parties and a host of other special events have been planned to commemorate 50 years since the coronation.

For one village in County Antrim, there are four days dedicated to celebrating the Queen's Golden jubilee - and that is a UK record.

The Queen's 50-year reign is being celebrated

Broughshane kicked off festivities on Saturday with a float parade and carnival.

On Monday, they are busy organising Northern Ireland's biggest street party.

Ian Wilson, chairman of the Golden Jubilee committee there, said 1,600 people have already bought tickets.

"Street parties are not out of date, we could have sold another 100 tables. It's a one off," he said.

Firework displays

In Omagh in County Tyrone, the celebrations have a different flavour.

The Ulster American Folk Park has organised a Victorian fair day.

More events are planned to continue on Tuesday and for organisers throughout Northern Ireland they will be hoping there will not be rain to dampen the celebrations.

I can still remember the Silver Jubilee and it stuck in my mind hat if we could re-create some of those memories today for kids I would be delighted

Wendy Smith
Event organiser

Beacons are being set alight at 14 locations across Northern Ireland as part of the celebrations.

Events will be held in most council areas, including firework displays, street parties, exhibitions, games and garden parties.

A sweep of beacons from Scotland, through Northern Ireland, and across the different English regions, will culminate in the Queen lighting her own National Beacon in London at 2245 BST on Monday 3 June.

The British army will have a beacon at its Northern Ireland headquarters at Lisburn in County Antrim.

A beacon will also be lit in the church hall tower in Ballygowan in County Down.

Almost £370,000 has gone to local community groups across Northern Ireland to fund Jubilee projects.

David Howell: Jazz orchestra

Many of the district councils have also provided funding for projects.

Organisers have spent months preparing to make the day one to remember.

Wendy Smith, an event organiser in Bangor, said: "I can still remember the Silver Jubilee and it stuck in my mind that if we could re-create some of those memories today for kids I would be delighted."

'Magnificent opportunity'

Belfast's Jubilee beacon was lit by Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers.

We have a great day and the weather is fantastic

David Howell

He said: "This is a fabulous occasion and as we look right across Belfast today, the number of street parties - not just the Protestant-unionist community involved - but also many Roman Catholics taking part who have accepted invitations."

David Howell was one of those from a local jazz orchestra taking part in the BBC's Music Live event.

It was accompanied by the choir of Belfast Institute school.

Mr Howell said it was a magnificent opportunity to play live to the nation.

"It is something of a special event for me because I am a former pupil at Belfast Institute.

"We have a great day and the weather is fantastic.

"It is a bit of a change for us today. We try and get a lot of variety into the band and so we do a lot of different material - today is certainly a bit different."