Over 125,000 people worldwide watch Royal Irish parade in Hillsborough
A worldwide audience of “over 125k” viewed the first ever public shamrock presentation to the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) in Northern Ireland.
The newly released social media figures were revealed at Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s (LCCC) March meeting with claims of a “98%” boost to the authority’s social media posts.
The local authority supported the Royal Hillsborough event with £10,000 as the British army soldiers were presented with the St Patrick’s Day sprigs amid a Sinn Fein objection over “governance concerns” for the funding. Alderman James Tinsley said: “Most of the council supported it at a cost of £10,000 and I was able to find £13,000 of funds outside of council to help support the Royal Irish and others paying for it.
“I had asked the chief executive how many people had seen it.
“Between Facebook and Twitter (X) there was something like well over 125,000 people saw it. “It was seen in America, Canada, across Europe and as far as Hong Kong and had really positive comments.
“The veterans certainly appreciated it and the cadets who were able to take part in this historical occasion. “It was a really worthwhile gesture and the figures really stack up. It was something like 98% bigger than any of the (social media) posts that the council has put up previously and speaks volumes.”
Mayor Amanda Grehan added: "It was an absolutely fabulous event and actually one I will always remember as the mayor giving out the shamrock to the regiment. “It was such a huge honour and I was absolutely humbled to do that.”