World-renowned for its unique history, culture and breathtakingly beautiful scenery, Enniskillen boasts another superlative – it’s also the most westerly town celebrating The Queen’s upcoming Platinum Jubilee on June 2.
Fermanagh and Tyrone were honoured by her three historic trips westward – in 1946, 2002 and 2012 – so marking the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty's Coronation will rekindle warm memories for many.
The Queen's 90th Birthday celebration in Enniskillen. Viscount Brookeborough lights a beacon.
The Platinum Jubilee is being celebrated at and commemorated on the island town, and nearby, with a packed programme of 30 major community events at more than a dozen locations, with countless smaller gatherings around and about, echoing similar scenes here and in London in 1953.
At the time, millions of people watched the seemingly endless Coronation procession from specially constructed stands or crowded onto London’s footpaths.
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More than 8,000 people attended the majestic ceremony in Westminster Abbey which included a substantial number of significant participants from here.
As well as listening to proceedings on the wireless, around 20 million people tuned in to BBC television’s live coverage, and nearly 90 million people watched highlights and recordings in dozens of languages around the world.
At the time, The Impartial Reporter printed most, if not all, of the event's pomp and pageantry.
When it was over, massive celebrations began across the UK, the Commonwealth and Fermanagh, and it’s happening again 70 years later, from June 1 to June 5.
The full programme is available on Facebook (search for the one-word tag, broken up here solely for printing purposes: @queens platinum jubilee fermanagh), but the main events on Thursday, June 2 – the day of the Coronation in 1953 – begin with the National Proclamation of Beacon Lighting at 2pm in Enniskillen’s Diamond area.
Toastmaster Gary Wilson who will making the Queens Platinum Jubilee Proclaimation.
That historic evening will be packed with celebrations and commemorations including massed bands, buglers, pipers and choirs.
St. Macartin’s bells will peal out 70 times (marking the Queen’s 70-year-reign) prior to a special Community Service of Thanksgiving, and the illumination of Enniskillen Castle in Royal purple floodlights.
Enniskillen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons – located at St. Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen Castle, Portora Hill and on Topped Mountain – are amongst thousands that will be lit across the UK and in all 54 Commonwealth capitals, starting at Buckingham Palace.
Our Platinum Jubilee Beacons will be lit at St. Macartin’s Cathedral by Jane Styles, Deputy Lieutenant for Co. Fermanagh at 9.45pm, and in front of Enniskillen Castle at 10.30pm by Dean Kenny Hall and Monsignor Peter O’Reilly, with two beams of light crossing over in the night sky – symbolic of Her Majesty’s visit to Enniskillen in 2012 for her Diamond Jubilee when she crossed the road from St. Macartin’s to St. Michael's, making history in the process with her first visit to a Roman Catholic church on the island of Ireland.
Bruno Peek, Pageant master of The Queen’s Jubilee Platinum Beacons, says the bacons “will highlight both the diversity and unity of the nation and the Commonwealth".
SEE ALSO: The Queen's Platinum Jubilee: Fermanagh celebrations planned
He continued: "The Queen has lit up our lives for 70 years through her dedicated service and commitment. We would like to light up the nation and the Commonwealth in her honour.”
Further free events will include a family fun day and Armed Forces display at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School on Saturday, June 4, between 10am and 4pm, and ‘Beating Retreat’ that evening (7.30pm) at Enniskillen Castle and Wellington Place Car Park, hosted by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Section (Fermanagh Branch).
Pipe Majors at Enniskillen Castle for Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Enniskillen will also be hosting a stunning exhibition, entitled ‘Our Coronation Story’, at the castle, displaying authentic Coronation artefacts, and on the morning of Sunday, June 5, there will be a community parade through the town, a Service of Thanksgiving in St. Macartin’s Cathedral, and The Big Jubilee Lunch at the Castle, with free admission, and music and entertainment provided – so bring your own picnic!
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