Platinum Jubilee beacons to be lit across Northern Ireland

The four-day celebration will also include street parties, exhibitions and church services.

Platinum Jubilee beacon in the private grounds of Windsor Castle
Author: Chelsie KealeyPublished 2nd Jun 2022

Thousands of beacons will be lit across the United Kingdom and Commonwealth this evening to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The official four-day celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Queen's coronation will include street parties, exhibitions, church services and lunch events.

1,500 beacons are being lit between 9.15-9.45pm including many locations across Northern Ireland.

Girlguiding UK are lighting 70 beacons across the organisation to mark Queen Elizabeth’s reign on the throne.

The Ulster Branch of the group has been allocated three beacons which will be set ablaze in Counties Tyrone, North Down and Londonderry.

Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers and some Girlguiding volunteers including Trefoil members in Derry will set theirs alight at the group’s campsite in Benone.

The event is exclusive to Girlguiding members and will see girls from all units within the County come together to enjoy a special afternoon and evening of Jubilee celebrations.

The event will start with an afternoon session for Rainbows and Brownies where they will have an opportunity to create their very own Jubilee crown, Queen’s Guardsman and enjoy a special afternoon tea party.

In the evening Guides, Rangers and other volunteers including Trefoil members will come together to make lanterns and have a special Jubilee supper before the beacon lighting at 9.50 pm.

Noelleen Fails, Londonderry County Commissioner said: “We're all really looking forward to coming together as a County and being part of the upcoming Jubilee beacon celebrations.

“The Queen has a long history with Girlguiding - as a Guide herself and as our Patron, making this historic celebration feel that extra bit special.

“The Queen has a long-standing personal history with Girlguiding first joining as a Guide in 1937, at 11 years old alongside her 7-year-old sister, Princess Margaret as a Brownie.”

Read More:

Dame Arlene Foster thrilled with Queen's Birthday Honour

Cost of Living: special body to look at ways of dealing with crisis in NI

How to listen to Downtown Radio:

Tune into Northern Ireland's Home of Great Music, Downtown Radio on FM, AM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on our Rayo app and by asking your smart speaker to 'Play Downtown Radio'. Gary & Glen kick things off every weekday morning and Neal McClelland brings you home on Downtown Drive.