04/02/2013

Sir Ian McKellen Awarded Honorary Doctorate

Actor Sir Ian McKellen has been awarded an honorary doctorate from staff at the University of Ulster on Sunday.

The Lord of the Rings actor was given the award by James Nesbitt.

Mr McKellen said: ""In puritanical Ballymena (Northern Ireland), it is said the park keepers used to tie up the children's swings on Sundays to keep the Lord's Day holy.

"In the same spirit, at our home when I was a kid, we weren't allowed to play cards, nor board games on Sundays. No snap, Ludo or even jigsaws."

He also delivered the annual chancellor's lecture which focused on religious and homophobic prejudice.

(CD)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

27 November 2012
Sir Ian McKellen Awarded UU Honorary Degree
Sir Ian McKellen is set to receive an honorary degree from the University of Ulster. The announcement follows news that the actor will deliver the chancellor’s annual lecture at the university’s Magee campus in L’Derry in February. His address will follow speakers including Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
22 August 2001
Bloody Sunday Inquiry judge resigns
A reserve judge at the Bloody Sunday inquiry in Londonderry has tendered his resignation because of ill health. Canadian judge Mr Justice William Esson told Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid in a resignation letter that he was resigning following doctor’s advice.
27 September 2018
Bloody Sunday Victim Awarded Compensation For 'Pain, Injury And Suffering'
Belfast's High Court has awarded Michael Quinn compensation of £193,000 for injuries he sustained on Bloody Sunday. On Sunday, 30 January, 1972, Mr Quinn suffered a gunshot wound to the face when members of the Army's Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights demonstrators.
10 October 2011
NI Engineering Firm In Administration
A major civil engineering firm has gone into administration but it is hoped that the company will survive. According to a report by BBC, PT McWilliams, a civil engineering firm based in County Tyrone, are trying to reach an agreement with creditors.
17 June 2024
Treatment Of Bloody Sunday Families 'Disgraceful' – SDLP
Leader of the SDLP, Colum Eastwood, has condemned the treatment of the families of the Bloody Sunday victims as "disgraceful".