Security to be tight as Royal Irish Regiment gets Freedom of Lisburn

Security is already being put in place for the ceremony at Lagan Valley Island following which the Regiment will parade through the City in the late afternoon.

The Freedom is in recognition of the ‘invaluable and distinguished service rendered to our nation by The Royal Irish Regiment, particularly in recent years in Iraq and Afghanistan’.

Following the conferment ceremony the Regiment will parade through the City in the late afternoon. The Parade will depart Lagan Valley Island and march via Queens Road, Linenhall Street, Market Street, Market Square, Castle Street, Seymour Street and Queens Road before returning to Lagan Valley Island.

During the Parade the PSNI will temporarily close the roads and streets affected just before the parade commences; and they will remain closed to vehicles during this time.

Lisburn City Council would like to confirm that pedestrians and shoppers will be able to gain access to all these areas during the Parade.

The Mayor, Councillor Paul Porter, said: “The Regiment has served all over the world with gallantry and bravery. Our ceremony this Saturday coincides with the Regiment’s return following a recent six-month tour of Afghanistan.

“This will be a great honour, both for this Council and The Royal Irish Regiment.

“The City of Lisburn has a long and rich history with the Armed Forces. The Conferment of the Freedom of the City will see the Royal Irish Regiment take its much deserved place in our eminent role of Freemen, and will strengthen ties between the City and the Regiment.”

Immediately following the Ceremony, there will be an inspection and presentation to the members of The Royal Irish Regiment at 3.30pm. The City’s newest Freemen will then parade through the City Centre at approximately 3.45pm where the Mayor will take the Salute at Lisburn’s War Memorial before the Parade returns to Lagan Valley Island.

“It is a great privilege for the City of Lisburn to recognise the bravery of The Royal Irish Regiment, both home and abroad, and pay tribute to those who have been injured or lost their lives in the line of duty. This is our City’s way of showing our continuing support and appreciation for the courageous members of The Royal Irish Regiment,” said the Mayor.

Councillor Ronnie Crawford added: “As the proposer of the motion to confer the Freedom of the City upon the Royal Irish, I do hope for huge crowds in Lisburn on Saturday afternoon.

“The Regiment deserve a heroes’ welcome home from Afghanistan and the larger the crowds the greater the welcome. This should be made a day to remember in our city’s history.”