Menu
14/03/2002
City status success for Lisburn and Newry
Two Northern Ireland towns are celebrating after being awarded city status in a special competition to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
Lisburn, Co Antrim, and Newry, Co Down, have been given the award - which is granted personally by the Queen – following an application process that also saw Carrickfergus, Ballymena, Coleraine and Craigavon competing for the honour.
News of the successful bids came early on Thursday 14 March, in an announcement made by Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, in London.
An official statement said: "On advice from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Lord Chancellor exceptionally recommended, and Her Majesty agreed, that two towns in Northern Ireland be granted city status on this occasion."
Previously, Northern Ireland had only three cities, Belfast, Derry and Armagh – which had its city status restored in 1994. Now, Lisburn and Newry join Preston in England, Newport in Wales and Stirling in Scotland as being the first towns to be given the recommendation since a special round of 'Millennium Awards' two years ago.
Following the criteria outlined by the Lord Chancellor's Department, Lisburn had been put forward for the recommendation partly on the basis that it is the borough in which Hillsborough Castle – the official residence of the Royal Family when in Northern Ireland – and the offices of the Secretary of State are located.
Newry was nominated due to its strategic position on the main Belfast-Dublin corridor, for its cultural importance, and for the role the former town has played in the history of both the UK and the Republic.
Promoted as a "frontier community", Newry's economic importance was also stressed as part of its bid, thanks to its strong commercial relationship with the Republic.
The conferring of city status is only a nominal title, with each new city not gaining any additional powers or functions. However, that has not stopped representatives of both Newry and Lisburn from welcoming the news, with Lisburn's Lord Mayor, Jim Dixon, describing the award as meaning "a tremendous amount to Lisburn".
Ulster Unionist MLA Ivan Davis also hailed Lisburn's success as "a triumph" and "a marvellous day for Lisburn and the people of the whole district".
Seamus Mallon SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh warmly welcomed the announcement, stating: "This is a great day for Newry and represents a strong recognition of the work which has taken place in the city in recent times."
(CL)
Lisburn, Co Antrim, and Newry, Co Down, have been given the award - which is granted personally by the Queen – following an application process that also saw Carrickfergus, Ballymena, Coleraine and Craigavon competing for the honour.
News of the successful bids came early on Thursday 14 March, in an announcement made by Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, in London.
An official statement said: "On advice from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Lord Chancellor exceptionally recommended, and Her Majesty agreed, that two towns in Northern Ireland be granted city status on this occasion."
Previously, Northern Ireland had only three cities, Belfast, Derry and Armagh – which had its city status restored in 1994. Now, Lisburn and Newry join Preston in England, Newport in Wales and Stirling in Scotland as being the first towns to be given the recommendation since a special round of 'Millennium Awards' two years ago.
Following the criteria outlined by the Lord Chancellor's Department, Lisburn had been put forward for the recommendation partly on the basis that it is the borough in which Hillsborough Castle – the official residence of the Royal Family when in Northern Ireland – and the offices of the Secretary of State are located.
Newry was nominated due to its strategic position on the main Belfast-Dublin corridor, for its cultural importance, and for the role the former town has played in the history of both the UK and the Republic.
Promoted as a "frontier community", Newry's economic importance was also stressed as part of its bid, thanks to its strong commercial relationship with the Republic.
The conferring of city status is only a nominal title, with each new city not gaining any additional powers or functions. However, that has not stopped representatives of both Newry and Lisburn from welcoming the news, with Lisburn's Lord Mayor, Jim Dixon, describing the award as meaning "a tremendous amount to Lisburn".
Ulster Unionist MLA Ivan Davis also hailed Lisburn's success as "a triumph" and "a marvellous day for Lisburn and the people of the whole district".
Seamus Mallon SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh warmly welcomed the announcement, stating: "This is a great day for Newry and represents a strong recognition of the work which has taken place in the city in recent times."
(CL)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 August 2013
New Building Projects For Lisburn City
Lisburn City Council has said restorative work on the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum has started. Site works within the city centre for the Council's Public Realm Scheme is also underway.
New Building Projects For Lisburn City
Lisburn City Council has said restorative work on the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum has started. Site works within the city centre for the Council's Public Realm Scheme is also underway.
22 January 2013
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
22 July 2003
Sinn Fein hit out at Lisburn council exclusion
Sinn Fein has hit out at the "blatant discrimination" within Lisburn City Council after members of the DUP and UUP took up all the council's top posts at a recent AGM meeting.
Sinn Fein hit out at Lisburn council exclusion
Sinn Fein has hit out at the "blatant discrimination" within Lisburn City Council after members of the DUP and UUP took up all the council's top posts at a recent AGM meeting.
17 October 2013
Belfast Council Launches Business Development Programme
Local manufacturers are being offered help with reducing costs and increasing profits through a new business development programme funded by Belfast City Council. The Manufacturing Efficiency Programme is open to small and medium-sized companies in the city from the manufacturing subsectors.
Belfast Council Launches Business Development Programme
Local manufacturers are being offered help with reducing costs and increasing profits through a new business development programme funded by Belfast City Council. The Manufacturing Efficiency Programme is open to small and medium-sized companies in the city from the manufacturing subsectors.
27 September 2011
Lisburn 'Transformation' Announced
A £4m boost has been announced for Lisburn with the hope that it will transform the city centre. The Stormont Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland has announced that main city centre streets and public spaces will be regenerated to high quality contemporary design standards: in a project called the Lisburn Public Realm scheme.
Lisburn 'Transformation' Announced
A £4m boost has been announced for Lisburn with the hope that it will transform the city centre. The Stormont Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland has announced that main city centre streets and public spaces will be regenerated to high quality contemporary design standards: in a project called the Lisburn Public Realm scheme.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
