Fermanagh communities ready for King's Coronation celebrations

To mark the special occasion, an afternoon of events will take place in Kesh on Sunday, May 7, organised, hosted and planned by Pettigo District Loyal Orange Lodge (LOL) Coronation Committee.

Starting at 2.45pm, there will be a parade of local bands and Orange lodges through Kesh village to the hall where an open air service will take place in the grounds, conducted by Canon Alan Irwin, Rev. Charles Eames, Rev. Raymond Robinson, Canon Billy Johnson and Rev. Abraham Storey. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Churchill Silver Band.

After the service there will be complimentary refreshments for everyone who has pre-booked.

The celebrations will continue with a musical programme featuring The Silver Tones, Fermanagh’s finest male voice choir; Clara Wilson, a classically-trained soprano who has performed all across Ireland in concert halls and theatres; and Kenny Archer, a popular Country Gospel singer and recording artist.

There will also be performances from local bands throughout the afternoon.

Coronation Day celebrations in Kesh in 1953.

A specially designed pin badge will be free to those attending on the day, and there will also be a special free souvenir programme.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Gary Wilson, District Master of Pettigo District LOL and Chairman of the Coronation Committee, who will chair the proceedings, explained that the Coronation celebrations in Kesh have been organised following the very successful Platinum Jubilee celebrations that took place in the village last year.

“Thousands of people attended and enjoyed the memorable day and evening, so we’ve done this due to public demand,” said Gary, noting that the celebrations in Kesh have all been made possible through the financial support of the community fund.

“Everyone is welcome to attend,” he added.

Elsewhere in Fermanagh, Derryclavin Pipe Band are hosting Coronation celebrations and a band parade in Lisbellaw on the evening of Friday, May 5.

Starting at 6pm, there will be plenty of events and activities for all the family including face painting, a fancy dress competition, a pet farm, a King Charles dog show, a float parade, refreshments and much more.

Erne Highland Dancers and Lisbellaw Primary School choir will also entertain. The band parade will then begin at 8.30pm at Lisbellaw Parish Centre.

On the Bank Holiday Monday, May 8, Lack Community Group are hosting The King’s Coronation celebration at Lack play park.

Starting at 1pm, it will be a family day featuring a tea party, stalls, bouncy castles, football dartboard and more.

That same day will see ‘The Big Community Paddle, Picnic and Volunteer Village’ being held at Enniskillen Castle from 11am to 5pm.

‘The Big Help Out’ and ‘The Coronation Big Lunch’ are two UK-wide campaigns marking King Charles’ forthcoming Coronation. Both campaigns are focused on fun and celebration as well as inspiring people to volunteer and help out in our local communities.

With free admission to Enniskillen Castle Museums, the day will be packed with live music and entertainment for all the family.

There will be a Volunteer Village, highlighting numerous local groups, charities and societies within the community. Volunteer representatives and members of health, heritage, sport, youth, music and wellbeing groups will be available to explain the support and services they provide.

There promises to be something for everyone – traditional cookery and heritage demonstrations, free children’s craft activities, ceramic painting and clay modelling, face painting, balloon modelling, climbing walls and much, much more.

Visit the Kindness Postbox; listen to the Fermanagh Concert Band and The Porter Bellys Band; watch The Erne Hyland Dancers and Jets Cheerleaders, and enjoy the historic venue on the historic day.

In addition, BBC Radio Ulster will be broadcasting live from the Castle throughout the day with music, chat and entertainment, showcasing the work of volunteers from local charities and community organisations.

Everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic and become part of ‘The Big Coronation Lunch’ in the company of BBC presenters Connor Phillips, Hugo Duncan and Lynette Fay.

A special highlight of the day promises to be ‘The Big Community Paddle’, organised by the RNLI.

This is a one-off opportunity to support our local volunteer lifeboat crew by raising funds whilst paddling a canoe, kayak or paddle board around the island itself.

Registration is through the RNLI Eventbrite page, or you can simply just turn up and register on the day.

The Big Community Paddle, Picnic and Volunteer Village is supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Northern Ireland, Lough Erne Landscape Partnership, the RNLI, Eden Project Communities, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Enniskillen BID and organised by local community, voluntary and charitable organisations.