DIAMOND Jubilee street parties continued to take place across the Province yesterday as four days of celebrations drew to a close.
Abbeyhill Road and Gardens in Whiteabbey were among many streets across Northern Ireland yesterday transformed into a party venue with tables and chairs across the road instead of the usual traffic.
Around 250 people, including over 100 youngsters, many dressed up as kings and queens, enjoyed themselves on a bouncy castle and with face painters as the rain held off.
Organiser Joanne Bennett said one of her happiest memories from childhood was attending a street party and that she wanted to create that same feeling for local children.
Conway Street, off the Shankill Road in Belfast, was one of several Diamond Jubilee street parties visited by newly-elected Belfast Lord Mayor Gavin Robinson.
Mr Robinson has attended no fewer than 12 Jubilee parties and events in the last four days, including lighting the Belfast beacon.
He said he had been very impressed with the locally organised street parties.
“I have found there is fantastic community spirit and people really enjoying the events of the Jubilee,” he said.
“Many of these got a little support from the council but were all locally organised and they did a really superb job.
“I could not have had a better first four days in office.”
And at Donegall Pass residents were treated to a street party by the Co-operative after local resident Tina Charters. Tina won a Jubilee street party pack filled with party essentials – including bunting, party hats, paper cups and flags – for 50 people and £100 worth of Co-operative vouchers to spend on food, after impressing judges with her community spirit and plans for a party.
She said: “We are all absolutely over the moon to receive a Jubilee street pack prize from the Co-operative. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is the perfect excuse to bring our local community together and this prize will really help make our celebrations even more memorable.”
In east Belfast, the Braniel Community Association hosted a Jubilee party in the local centre while Ballybeen organised an old-time dance night at the Ballyoran Centre.
In Armagh city, Lord Mayor Freda Donnelly planted a silver birch tree in the palace grounds to mark the Diamond Jubilee.
While at Moneymore, close to Cookstown, the National Trust property Springhill hosted a Princess and Pirates party with prizes for the best-dressed youngsters. The event also included a Wallace and Gromit tea party.
In Larne, the Dixon Park Residents’ Association, in conjunction with the local council, held a family fun day which included a re-enactment of the traditional hiring fair by the Larne Drama Circle.
The Everglades Hotel in Londonderry hosted a cross-community tea dance with entertainment from the Queen’s era.
And in Rathfriland there was a fancy dress parade and firework display last night to mark the close of the Jubilee celebrations.
On Monday, Lisnaskea in Fermanagh was transformed into a scene of Royal pageantry with its own Queen, who then paraded through the town.
The street and tea party event was organised by local victims group South East Fermanagh Foundation with the support of LOL 1407, local business people and other volunteers.
On Monday night, over 50 beacons were lit across Northern Ireland as part of a programme of more than 4,000 lit across the UK in honour of the 60-year reign.
Following her Jubilee celebrations in London the Queen will be conducting a tour of the United Kingdom, including a visit to Northern Ireland from June 26-27.