Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council prepare for Coronation celebratory events

Plans are well underway as Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council gets ready for a weekend of celebrations to mark the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty the Queen Consort from Friday May 5 until Monday May 8, 2023.

From the Big Lunch to live screenings of the Coronation ceremony and concert, there is lots in store for everyone to come together and celebrate this momentous occasion. Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, alderman Stephen Ross welcomed Vice Lieutenant of Co Antrim, Mrs Miranda Gordon, deputy mayor, councillor Leah Smyth, elected members, community representatives and local school children to the Theatre at The Mill to officially launch the line-up.

Guests were also able to preview a clip of the Coronation hymn which will be officially launched over the Coronation weekend.

Composed by Philip Hammond, a recording of the hymn was performed by approximately 450 children from 19 of the Borough’s primary, secondary and special schools and will be a lasting legacy of the Coronation celebrations in the area. At the launch event, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, alderman Stephen Ross said: “We have lots of fantastic events planned to celebrate the first Coronation in over 70 years - the crowning of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.”

He added: “I would encourage all of our residents to come together for what will be a weekend to remember.”

Details of the weekend are as follows:

Friday May 5

The Coronation weekend will begin at 10am when flags will be raised at Mossley Mill, Antrim Civic Centre and Ballyclare Town Hall.

Then in the evening, beacons will be lit by Mayor, alderman Stephen Ross, at Mossley Mill and deputy mayor, councillor Leah Smyth, at Antrim Castle Gardens.

This will form part of the simultaneous lighting of thousands of beacons across the UK - a long standing tradition for such royal occasions.

Saturday May 6

From 10am until 4pm you can enjoy some Coronation fun at Antrim Castle Gardens and Jordanstown Loughshore Park, where there will be live screenings of the ceremony taking place at Westminster Abbey.

Please note this is a ticketed event and it is recommended that you get your tickets early.

Tickets are free with a £1.25 booking fee for adults, and no fee for children.

All proceeds go to the Mayor’s chosen charities.

Sunday May 7

Pack your picnic and bring your rug to Hazelbank Park and Antrim Lough Shore Park for the Coronation Big Lunch.

Taking place from 12-4pm, expect some family fun, with inflatables and walkabout characters.

Later that evening from 6pm, the celebrations will be at Antrim Castle Gardens and Jordanstown Loughshore Park, where there will be a live screening of the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle.

‘The Elvis Spectacular’ will be warming up the crowd in Jordanstown Loughshore Park, whilst ‘Qween’ will be working their magic in Antrim.

Both events on the Sunday evening will finish with a fantastic fireworks display lighting up the night sky.

This is also a ticketed event and again it is recommended that you get your tickets early – they are free with a £1.25 booking fee for adults and all proceeds again going to the Mayor’s chosen charities.

·Monday May 8

The Big Help Out, which aims to encourage residents to try volunteering through a number of activities such as spring clean ups, horticultural projects, planting of window boxes for local villages and so on will take place.

The Big Help Out aims to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation weekend.

For more information on any of these events click here.