The Lord Lieutenant of Belfast is the official representative of
The King for the 'County Borough of
Belfast
Belfast ( , ; from ga, Béal Feirste , meaning 'mouth of the sand-bank ford') is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdom ...
',
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...
. The current
Lord Lieutenant is
Dame Fionnuala Mary Jay-O'Boyle,
DBE, who was appointed in July 2014. The position was first created in 1900 and was held by
The 6th Marquess of Londonderry. The role is largely honorary with the few formal duties relating to liaising with the King's
private office in the lead up to visits to the City regarding issues of local concern and the presentation of awards on behalf of the King. The
High Sheriff of Belfast
The High Sheriff of Belfast is a title and position which was created in 1900 under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, with Sir James Henderson the first holder. Like other high sheriff positions, it is largely a ceremonial post today. The ...
is theoretically the King's judicial representative in the city, while the
Lord Lieutenant is the Sovereign's personal representative.
List of Lord Lieutenants
*
The 6th Marquess of Londonderry: 20 February 1900 – 1904
*
The 9th Earl of Shaftesbury: 19 January 1904 – 1911
*
The 1st Viscount Pirrie: 4 November 1911 – 6 June 1924
*
The Rt Hon. Sir Thomas Dixon
Sir Thomas James Dixon, 2nd Baronet, PC (NI) (29 May 1868 – 10 May 1950), was a Northern Ireland politician.
Dixon was the eldest son of Sir Daniel Dixon, 1st Baronet, Lord Mayor of Belfast, and his wife, Eliza (née Agnew). He succeeded his f ...
, 2nd
Bt.: 7 July 1924 – 10 May 1950
*
The 2nd Baron Glentoran: 11 July 1950 – 1985
*
Sir Robin Kinahan: 12 August 1985 – 1991
*Colonel James Elliott Wilson: 25 March 1991 – 2000
*
Lady Carswell: 26 May 2000 – 8 August 2009
*
Dame Mary Peters: 9 August 2009 – 6 July 2014
*
Dame Fionnuala Mary Jay-O'Boyle: ''since'' 6 July 2014
Deputy lieutenants
A deputy lieutenant of Belfast is commissioned by the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast.
Deputy lieutenants support the work of the lord-lieutenant. There can be several deputy lieutenants at any time, depending on the population of the county. Their appointment does not terminate with the changing of the lord-lieutenant, but they usually retire at age 75.
21st Century
*28 October 2003:
Lady Mary Peters
Lady Mary Elizabeth Peters, (born 6 July 1939) is a Northern Irish former athlete, best known as a competitor in the pentathlon and shot put. Peters was named as Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter on 27 February 2019. She was install ...
,
*9 March 2005: Jennifer Campbell
*30 October 2007: Professor Dorota Iwaniec
*21 February 2009: Joseph Garth Corbett,
*28 June 2017: Dr Mark Christopher Sheridan
See also
*
Belfast City Council
Belfast City Council ( ga, Comhairle Cathrach Bhéal Feirste) is the local authority with responsibility for part of the city of Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. The Council serves an estimated population of (), the ...
References
*
{{Belfast City Council
Local government in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast ( , ; from ga, Béal Feirste , meaning 'mouth of the sand-bank ford') is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdom ...