Armed Forces Day details revealed

Antrim faces a full scale military invasion on Saturday, June 18 after agreement between Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and the Ministry of Defence.

The main events are the parade and interdenominational drumhead service involving hundreds of military personnel and veterans but, many other attractions and events are taking place to ensure the day is totally inclusive.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Councillor Thomas Hogg said: “it’s an ideal choice given Antrim’s garrison history location at the centre of a transport hub that will allow easy access by road and rail as well as air. We will be able to give more details in due course but for now it’s important that everyone puts Saturday 18th June into their diaries and makes plans to be with us in Antrim.”

An MOD spokesman said Armed Forces Day in Northern Ireland is a major event in the military calendar, widely looked forward to by personnel.

“We are delighted to be able to work with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council so that we can not only showcase the incredible work undertaken by men and women, reserve and regular across the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Army in Northern Ireland but also to thank them for their much appreciated support to the wider military family including veterans,” said the spokesman.