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Leader Live
3 days ago
- General
- Leader Live
Hillsborough ‘Castlemen' parade at full strength for first time since 1890
Thirteen new warders of the Hillsborough Fort Guard, which dates back to 1660, were presented with their warrants at a special ceremony in the Co Down village on Saturday. The guard paraded in the village at an event attended by deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood and Lord Lieutenant for Co Down Gawn Rowan Hamilton. It is the first time the guard, which carries out ceremonial duties at Hillsborough Castle, the royal residence in Northern Ireland, has been at its full complement of 20 warders since 1890. The event took place at Hillsborough fort on Saturday (Brian Lawless/PA) The guard was created in the 17th century when a royal warrant was first issued by Charles II but went into decline in the 20th century when no new warders were recruited. For several years, only the bugler was left to carry on ceremonial duties until 2021 when the Marquess of Downshire issued warrants for six new warders as part of the reformation of the fort guard. With a further 13 warrants issued, the final restoration sees the guard, whose members are known as the 'Castlemen', return to its full original strength of 20 warders. Hundreds of people turned out to see the investiture parade at Hillsborough Fort. The programme for the event included a letter from the King passing on his 'warmest good wishes to all of those who are present for a memorable event'. Hillsborough Fort Guard bugler Andrew Carlisle taking part in the investiture parade (Brian Lawless/PA) Bugler Andrew Carlisle said it was a special day for the village with strong royal connections. He said: 'For the first time in over 130 years the guard at Hillsborough Fort is parading at full strength of 20 as per the royal warrant of 1660 which was given to the Hill family, making them the hereditary constable of the fort. 'It is a fantastic day for Hillsborough, a historic day for the village. 'We are probably the first guard to actually parade through the village headed by the constable, as far as we can tell that has never happened before. It is a very proud moment.' Mr Carlisle has been a member of the guard for 20 years and said it has not been easy to get to the point where it has been returned to full strength. He said: 'Maintaining a private, legal army in Northern Ireland has its ups and downs, but it has been worth it. 'When you see the 20 guys on parade, the colour and the history and the passion that these guys have put in, we do this voluntarily. 'It is a unique thing for the village, this has to survive, it is not what we do now, it is the gift we give on to the next generation that this survives.' Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly with some of the new warders (Brian Lawless/PA) He added: 'This journey has been at least 12 years in the making. It is a very proud day. 'We are indebted to the people that have got behind us, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Tourism NI both were a huge help in funding our new uniforms. 'A lot of our funding also comes from private donors and the village and the community. 'This is a Hillsborough story, it always will be a Hillsborough story and we genuinely want the village to be proud and get behind it.' New warder Trevor Hill is the fourth generation of his family connected to the Fort Guard (Brian Lawless/PA) One of the 13 new warders is Trevor Hill, who is the fourth generation of his family connected to the Hillsborough Fort Guard. He said: 'We are unique. We are the only and longest-running private militia guard in the history of the United Kingdom and all-Ireland. 'This year we are in our 365th year of existence.' He added: 'It is a wonderful piece of history, it is unique to Northern Ireland and the UK. 'It is more now a ceremonial role as opposed to a guarding role and I think it is very important to keep that history alive.' Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood (left) attended the ceremony (Brian Lawless/PA) MP for the area Ms Eastwood said it was a 'special day' for Hillsborough. She added: 'I know some of the people who were getting their investiture today and I know the service they have given to their community over many, many years and the real passion they have. 'Today is about consolidating Hillsborough as a destination for tourism. We are very proud of what we have here in the village, it is a very unique offering. 'All of us who are Lisburn born and bred will know the links over many years, with this being the only location on the island of Ireland with a royal palace and still retained as the King's official residence. 'There is a brand new generation coming through who don't know that history and part of today is linked to that tourism offering.'
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Hillsborough ‘Castlemen' parade at full strength for first time since 1890
Thirteen new warders of the Hillsborough Fort Guard, which dates back to 1660, were presented with their warrants at a special ceremony in the Co Down village on Saturday. The guard paraded in the village at an event attended by deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood and Lord Lieutenant for Co Down Gawn Rowan Hamilton. It is the first time the guard, which carries out ceremonial duties at Hillsborough Castle, the royal residence in Northern Ireland, has been at its full complement of 20 warders since 1890. The event took place at Hillsborough fort on Saturday (Brian Lawless/PA) The guard was created in the 17th century when a royal warrant was first issued by Charles II but went into decline in the 20th century when no new warders were recruited. For several years, only the bugler was left to carry on ceremonial duties until 2021 when the Marquess of Downshire issued warrants for six new warders as part of the reformation of the fort guard. With a further 13 warrants issued, the final restoration sees the guard, whose members are known as the 'Castlemen', return to its full original strength of 20 warders. Hundreds of people turned out to see the investiture parade at Hillsborough Fort. The programme for the event included a letter from the King passing on his 'warmest good wishes to all of those who are present for a memorable event'. Hillsborough Fort Guard bugler Andrew Carlisle taking part in the investiture parade (Brian Lawless/PA) Bugler Andrew Carlisle said it was a special day for the village with strong royal connections. He said: 'For the first time in over 130 years the guard at Hillsborough Fort is parading at full strength of 20 as per the royal warrant of 1660 which was given to the Hill family, making them the hereditary constable of the fort. 'It is a fantastic day for Hillsborough, a historic day for the village. 'We are probably the first guard to actually parade through the village headed by the constable, as far as we can tell that has never happened before. It is a very proud moment.' Mr Carlisle has been a member of the guard for 20 years and said it has not been easy to get to the point where it has been returned to full strength. He said: 'Maintaining a private, legal army in Northern Ireland has its ups and downs, but it has been worth it. 'When you see the 20 guys on parade, the colour and the history and the passion that these guys have put in, we do this voluntarily. 'It is a unique thing for the village, this has to survive, it is not what we do now, it is the gift we give on to the next generation that this survives.' Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly with some of the new warders (Brian Lawless/PA) He added: 'This journey has been at least 12 years in the making. It is a very proud day. 'We are indebted to the people that have got behind us, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Tourism NI both were a huge help in funding our new uniforms. 'A lot of our funding also comes from private donors and the village and the community. 'This is a Hillsborough story, it always will be a Hillsborough story and we genuinely want the village to be proud and get behind it.' New warder Trevor Hill is the fourth generation of his family connected to the Fort Guard (Brian Lawless/PA) One of the 13 new warders is Trevor Hill, who is the fourth generation of his family connected to the Hillsborough Fort Guard. He said: 'We are unique. We are the only and longest-running private militia guard in the history of the United Kingdom and all-Ireland. 'This year we are in our 365th year of existence.' He added: 'It is a wonderful piece of history, it is unique to Northern Ireland and the UK. 'It is more now a ceremonial role as opposed to a guarding role and I think it is very important to keep that history alive.' Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood (left) attended the ceremony (Brian Lawless/PA) MP for the area Ms Eastwood said it was a 'special day' for Hillsborough. She added: 'I know some of the people who were getting their investiture today and I know the service they have given to their community over many, many years and the real passion they have. 'Today is about consolidating Hillsborough as a destination for tourism. We are very proud of what we have here in the village, it is a very unique offering. 'All of us who are Lisburn born and bred will know the links over many years, with this being the only location on the island of Ireland with a royal palace and still retained as the King's official residence. 'There is a brand new generation coming through who don't know that history and part of today is linked to that tourism offering.'
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Hillsborough ‘Castlemen' parade at full strength for first time since 1890
Thirteen new warders of the Hillsborough Fort Guard, which dates back to 1660, were presented with their warrants at a special ceremony in the Co Down village on Saturday. The guard paraded in the village at an event attended by deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood and Lord Lieutenant for Co Down Gawn Rowan Hamilton. It is the first time the guard, which carries out ceremonial duties at Hillsborough Castle, the royal residence in Northern Ireland, has been at its full complement of 20 warders since 1890. The event took place at Hillsborough fort on Saturday (Brian Lawless/PA) The guard was created in the 17th century when a royal warrant was first issued by Charles II but went into decline in the 20th century when no new warders were recruited. For several years, only the bugler was left to carry on ceremonial duties until 2021 when the Marquess of Downshire issued warrants for six new warders as part of the reformation of the fort guard. With a further 13 warrants issued, the final restoration sees the guard, whose members are known as the 'Castlemen', return to its full original strength of 20 warders. Hundreds of people turned out to see the investiture parade at Hillsborough Fort. The programme for the event included a letter from the King passing on his 'warmest good wishes to all of those who are present for a memorable event'. Hillsborough Fort Guard bugler Andrew Carlisle taking part in the investiture parade (Brian Lawless/PA) Bugler Andrew Carlisle said it was a special day for the village with strong royal connections. He said: 'For the first time in over 130 years the guard at Hillsborough Fort is parading at full strength of 20 as per the royal warrant of 1660 which was given to the Hill family, making them the hereditary constable of the fort. 'It is a fantastic day for Hillsborough, a historic day for the village. 'We are probably the first guard to actually parade through the village headed by the constable, as far as we can tell that has never happened before. It is a very proud moment.' Mr Carlisle has been a member of the guard for 20 years and said it has not been easy to get to the point where it has been returned to full strength. He said: 'Maintaining a private, legal army in Northern Ireland has its ups and downs, but it has been worth it. 'When you see the 20 guys on parade, the colour and the history and the passion that these guys have put in, we do this voluntarily. 'It is a unique thing for the village, this has to survive, it is not what we do now, it is the gift we give on to the next generation that this survives.' Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly with some of the new warders (Brian Lawless/PA) He added: 'This journey has been at least 12 years in the making. It is a very proud day. 'We are indebted to the people that have got behind us, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Tourism NI both were a huge help in funding our new uniforms. 'A lot of our funding also comes from private donors and the village and the community. 'This is a Hillsborough story, it always will be a Hillsborough story and we genuinely want the village to be proud and get behind it.' New warder Trevor Hill is the fourth generation of his family connected to the Fort Guard (Brian Lawless/PA) One of the 13 new warders is Trevor Hill, who is the fourth generation of his family connected to the Hillsborough Fort Guard. He said: 'We are unique. We are the only and longest-running private militia guard in the history of the United Kingdom and all-Ireland. 'This year we are in our 365th year of existence.' He added: 'It is a wonderful piece of history, it is unique to Northern Ireland and the UK. 'It is more now a ceremonial role as opposed to a guarding role and I think it is very important to keep that history alive.'
Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Western Telegraph
Hillsborough ‘Castlemen' parade at full strength for first time since 1890
Thirteen new warders of the Hillsborough Fort Guard, which dates back to 1660, were presented with their warrants at a special ceremony in the Co Down village on Saturday. The guard paraded in the village at an event attended by deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood and Lord Lieutenant for Co Down Gawn Rowan Hamilton. It is the first time the guard, which carries out ceremonial duties at Hillsborough Castle, the royal residence in Northern Ireland, has been at its full complement of 20 warders since 1890. The event took place at Hillsborough fort on Saturday (Brian Lawless/PA) The guard was created in the 17th century when a royal warrant was first issued by Charles II but went into decline in the 20th century when no new warders were recruited. For several years, only the bugler was left to carry on ceremonial duties until 2021 when the Marquess of Downshire issued warrants for six new warders as part of the reformation of the fort guard. With a further 13 warrants issued, the final restoration sees the guard, whose members are known as the 'Castlemen', return to its full original strength of 20 warders. Hundreds of people turned out to see the investiture parade at Hillsborough Fort. The programme for the event included a letter from the King passing on his 'warmest good wishes to all of those who are present for a memorable event'. Hillsborough Fort Guard bugler Andrew Carlisle taking part in the investiture parade (Brian Lawless/PA) Bugler Andrew Carlisle said it was a special day for the village with strong royal connections. He said: 'For the first time in over 130 years the guard at Hillsborough Fort is parading at full strength of 20 as per the royal warrant of 1660 which was given to the Hill family, making them the hereditary constable of the fort. 'It is a fantastic day for Hillsborough, a historic day for the village. 'We are probably the first guard to actually parade through the village headed by the constable, as far as we can tell that has never happened before. It is a very proud moment.' Mr Carlisle has been a member of the guard for 20 years and said it has not been easy to get to the point where it has been returned to full strength. He said: 'Maintaining a private, legal army in Northern Ireland has its ups and downs, but it has been worth it. 'When you see the 20 guys on parade, the colour and the history and the passion that these guys have put in, we do this voluntarily. 'It is a unique thing for the village, this has to survive, it is not what we do now, it is the gift we give on to the next generation that this survives.' Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly with some of the new warders (Brian Lawless/PA) He added: 'This journey has been at least 12 years in the making. It is a very proud day. 'We are indebted to the people that have got behind us, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Tourism NI both were a huge help in funding our new uniforms. 'A lot of our funding also comes from private donors and the village and the community. 'This is a Hillsborough story, it always will be a Hillsborough story and we genuinely want the village to be proud and get behind it.' New warder Trevor Hill is the fourth generation of his family connected to the Fort Guard (Brian Lawless/PA) One of the 13 new warders is Trevor Hill, who is the fourth generation of his family connected to the Hillsborough Fort Guard. He said: 'We are unique. We are the only and longest-running private militia guard in the history of the United Kingdom and all-Ireland. 'This year we are in our 365th year of existence.' He added: 'It is a wonderful piece of history, it is unique to Northern Ireland and the UK. 'It is more now a ceremonial role as opposed to a guarding role and I think it is very important to keep that history alive.'
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams wins libel lawsuit against BBC over claim he sanctioned killing
Published May 30, 2025 • 2 minute read Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams outside the High Court in Dublin, Friday, May 30, 2025, after he was awarded 100,000 euros in damages after winning his libel action against the BBC. Photo by Brian Lawless/PA via AP / AP LONDON — Former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams won his libel suit against the BBC on Friday over a claim that he authorized the killing of an informant inside the Irish republican movement. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account A jury at the High Court in Dublin ruled in Adams' favour and awarded him 100,000 euros ($113,000) in damages. Jurors deliberated for just under seven hours after the monthlong trial before reaching a verdict, rejecting the BBC's argument that it had acted in good faith and in a 'fair and reasonable' way. Adams sued Britain's public broadcaster over a claim in a decade-old documentary and online article that he sanctioned the killing of Denis Donaldson, a long-serving Sinn Fein official who acknowledged in 2005 that he had worked for British intelligence. He was shot dead at his cottage in rural Ireland four months later. In the BBC program broadcast in September 2016, an anonymous source claimed the shooting was sanctioned by the political and military leadership of the IRA and that Adams gave 'the final say.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Adams denies involvement and called the allegation a 'grievous smear.' Adams, 76, is one of the most influential figures of Northern Ireland's decades of conflict, and its peace process. He led Sinn Fein, the party linked to the Irish Republican Army, between 1983 and 2018. He has always denied being an IRA member, though former colleagues have said he was one of its leaders. Around 3,600 people were killed in 'the Troubles,' Northern Ireland's three decades of violence involving Irish republican and British loyalist militants and U.K. soldiers. The IRA stopped fighting and disarmed after the 1998 Good Friday peace accord largely ended the violence, though small splinter groups opposed to the peace process continued to mount occasional attacks. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A splinter group known as the Real IRA claimed responsibility in 2009 for killing Donaldson. An Irish police investigation remains ongoing. Adams' lawyer, Paul Tweed, said outside court that his client was 'relieved and satisfied' that jurors had reached 'the unequivocal conclusion that the subject allegation was highly defamatory.' Lawyers for the BBC argued that the documentary didn't claim that Adams had sanctioned murder, merely putting that forward as an allegation alongside Adams' denial. They also argued the program didn't harm Adams' reputation, because he was widely considered to have been an IRA commander and so had little reputation to lose. Speaking after the ruling, Adams said 'I've always been satisfied with my reputation. 'Obviously, like yourself, we all have flaws in our character, but the jury made the decision and let's accept the outcome, and I think let's accept what the jury said,' he said. Crime Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto Raptors Toronto Maple Leafs
