Celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee were launched across Northern Ireland today.
Parades, street parties and a host of other events were being held in cities, towns and villages the length and breadth of the North.
One Co Antrim village has set a UK record by organising four days of celebration which started with a carnival and floats on Saturday and culminates tonight with a massive street party.
More than 1,600 people have bought tickets for a street party being held in Broughshane, outside Ballymena, where a beacon celebrating the Queen's 50 years on the throne is being lit.
In east Belfast, Protestants were determined to celebrate despite the sectarian street violence in the area over recent days.
A heavy force of police and troops were on the streets in a bid to prevent a further outbreak of trouble.
"I think this is all being orchestrated because of our Jubilee celebrations. But we will celebrate today," a Protestant resident said. "We are having a street party for the children of the area and pensioners will be out as well."
"They will not dampen our celebrations - we will celebrate our Queen's Jubilee," she declared.
PA