Residents from across Lisburn & Castlereagh enjoyed celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

June 22, 2022

Families enjoyed two afternoons jam packed with theatre, arts, music and crafts as part of the Great ARTdoors Festival.

The events on Saturday 18th June in Castle Gardens, Lisburn and Sunday 19th June in Moat Park, Dundonald also helped raise vital funds for the Mayor’s Charities: Helping Hand who support the Royal Belfast Hospital of Sick Children (RBHSC) and the Atlas Centre who provide support for women, men and families in Lisburn.

On each day there were three family friendly shows of The Queen’s Treasure: The Maverick Mermaid and Me before the Swingtime Starlets closed each evening with nostalgic tunes.

Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Scott Carson who attended the festival said: “These events were a fantastic way to continue celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. There really was something for all the family and the weather behaved itself all weekend long. I would like to thank everyone who purchased tickets for their generosity!”

Councillor Aaron McInytyre, Chair of Leisure and Community Development, added: “The talent on show across the weekend was remarkable. The art installations that were created to decorate the venues, in particular the bespoke Throne and Crown made by local artists, are outstanding to say the least. It’s been a brilliant, collaborative event for us all to be involved in.”

Councillor Hazel Legge, Chair of the council’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Working Group commented: “The Arts Service successfully delivered a spectacular event that all of us will remember for a long time, at least as long as the Queen’s reign of 70 years. The Great ARTdoors has been the perfect opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee!”

The Throne and Crown art installations that were in both Castle Gardens and Moat Park over the weekend are on display in ISLAND Arts Centre along with the Arts Education Queen’s Platinum Jubilee exhibition, until the end of August 2022.

Our upcoming Children’s Arts Festival this summer will be inspired by the Jubilee celebrations. We look forward to seeing some more fantastic artwork being produced from the young people in our area.