14 May 2002: The Queen begins her Jubilee visit to Northern Ireland

The Queen paid her respects to the victims of terrorism during a full day of engagements in Northern Ireland. During a visit to the market town of Omagh in County Tyrone, The Queen viewed the spot in a busy shopping street where a car bomb exploded on 15 August 1998, killing 29 people and unborn twins.

Arriving in Omagh, The Queen and Prince Philip began their visit at Omagh Library to the sound of "O Danny Boy", sung by the Omagh Cross Community Youth Choir.

The choir was formed in the wake of the bomb, and aims to provide a vehicle for young people from differing religious, cultural and social backgrounds. The choir also raises money for the Omagh Fund and related organisations.

The Queen and Duke toured the library, meeting representatives from project groups in Northern Ireland benefiting from the New Opportunities Fund. The fund was established in 1998 to make grants to education, health and environment projects. 

They viewed a demonstration of an electronic exchange of greetings with other libraries across Northern Ireland and a short presentation on the Omagh 2010 Vision, a plan aimed at helping the community of Omagh develop following its tragic history.

Outside, The Queen and the Duke went on a short walkabout before driving towards the site of the bomb attack, meeting local residents including relatives of the Omagh victims.

The Queen walked with her host Dr. John Reid, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and Prince Philip to the site, hearing about the terrible events of 1998. The Queen was shown a new community house which has been built on part of the bomb site. On the way out of Omagh, the Royal car slowed down as it travelled past the memorial garden planted in memory of the dead.

It was then on to Loughry College, Cookstown, to attend the first of the Golden Jubilee Garden Parties planned for the Northern Ireland visit. Accompanied by Secretary of State Dr John Reid and Minister of State Jane Kennedy, The Queen and Prince Philip walked into the garden, where they planted a tree.

They also met some of the 1,000 invited guests involved in voluntary, community and public service - one of the themes of the Golden Jubilee. The guests, mainly from the West of the Province, were nominated by the relevant District Councils, Lord-Lieutenants and Government Departments. The Queen also spoke to some of the families who have suffered losses in the recent history of Northern Ireland.

The day had begun with a visit to Ballinamallard in County Fermanagh. The Queen visited Rascals PlayStation, a childcare facility created from a derelict railway building. The centre draws children from all sides of the community and from all social backgrounds.

The Queen viewed photographs of the building in its former life as a railway station before touring the facilities. Three to eight year olds were busy with woodwork, sand and water activities, while the older children were playing with board games, puzzles and floor games.

The Queen met PlayStation Directors, a Parents' Committee representative and PlayStation funders. Her Majesty was presented with a customised plate hand-painted in Ballinamallard. After signing the visitors' book, The Queen planted an apple tree in the Railway Garden, watched by children working in the garden.

From there The Queen travelled to the Ballinamallard Village Party. Inside the marquee Her Majesty was joined by The Duke of Edinburgh, who had been visiting Fisher Engineering Ltd in Ballinamallard. 

The company, which has a workforce of 195, produces structural steelwork. Prince Philip toured the factory, including  the drawing office and the shop floor, where he spoke to some of the workforce. The Duke then officially opened a footbridge constructed by Fisher Engineering over the Ballinamallard river.

At the village party The Queen and Prince Philip saw a display of photographs and items used around fifty years ago, provided by the Ballinamallard Historical Society. They also met some senior citizens enjoying refreshments, as well as local residents and school children.

At the end of the day, at Hillsborough Castle, The Queen formally acknowledged Northern Ireland's two newest cities. Her Majesty presented the Letters Patent conferring City Status on Lisburn and Newry, both awarded City Status as part of a competition to mark the Golden Jubilee. 

At a short ceremony John Wilson QC, the Clerk of the Crown for Northern Ireland, read the official citation before The Queen presented the Letters Patent to the Mayor of Lisburn Borough Council, and the Vice-Chairman of Newry and Mourne District Council. After making the presentations The Queen met representatives from both of the new cities.

While at the castle, Prince Philip presented Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Certificates in the garden to about 100 local young people. The Duke chatted with scheme participants as well as staff who administer The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme in Northern Ireland.   

The final engagement of the day was at Parliament Buildings, where Her Majesty met members of the Northern Ireland Assembly in the Great Hall to the accompaniment of harpists. At the bottom of the main stairway The Queen delivered a speech, in which she reflected on the difficulties faced by communities in Northern Ireland. "A small society has borne a disproportionate burden of division and loss, and so many people, from every part of Northern Ireland represented here today, have been touched by tragedy."

The Queen also paid tribute to the Assembly in shaping a hopeful future for Northern Ireland. "By working together successfully in this place, in the interests of all  your constituents - and those too young to vote, in whose hands, ultimately, the future lies - this Assembly can demonstrate that it is possible to build trust, and in doing so continue the building of a new Northern Ireland."

Read the full text of The Queen's speech in the Northern Ireland Assembly (pdf, 148kB)

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