Sir Richard Wallace Remembered at the People’s Concert in Wallace Park
June 23, 2018
Thousands of people turned out on Saturday 23rd June to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Sir Richard Wallace at the ‘People’s Concert’ in Wallace Park, organised by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council.
Peter Corry, Anúna, Wallace High School Junior Choir, Zoe Jackson, Nik Parks, Highland Pipers and Belfast School of Performing Arts Lisburn took to the stage to entertain the crowds on a feel-good sunny evening.
A Family Fun Day had taken place earlier on Saturday in Wallace Park and that event was also a great success.
The Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Uel Mackin speaking about the day, said: “Our Council is very proud of the area’s heritage and it has embraced the opportunity to highlight the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Sir Richard Wallace through a variety of events in 2018 of which the People’s Concert was one. The concert was a family friendly event with many people enjoying a picnic while listening to live music; it really was the perfect atmosphere.
“A number of the acts involved young people from the Lisburn Castlereagh area and their singing and dancing talent was fantastic and I could see them having a future stage career. Everyone enjoyed a repertoire of songs from West End Musicals, classic Opera and haunting Celtic melodies.”
The Council is always keen to offer a programme of events during the year that appeal to all ages as they provide opportunities for family and friends to get together and meet new people in friendly surroundings. We want our residents to Be Part of Here.
Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, added: “The Council wanted to commemorate the important milestone of the birth 200 years ago of Sir Richard Wallace, internationally famous philanthropist, humanitarian, Member of Parliament for Lisburn, and major local benefactor, by giving something back to the community. Peter Corry delighted the audience with his award-winning performance of ‘Stars’ from Les Miserables and the powerful classic ‘Walking in Memphis’.
“The enchanting sound of world famous chamber choir Anúna was perfect for the stunning historical setting of Wallace Park and they had the crowd mesmerised. The talent of local singers Zoe Jackson and Nik Parks was amazing and they definitely deserved to sing alongside Peter Corry in the finale number ‘You are the Voice’. The presence of the Junior Choir from Wallace High School was very fitting in the concert staged to remember Sir Richard Wallace, the namesake of the school.
“The weather was an added bonus to the fabulous evening and I hope that everyone left the concert very happy and perhaps even humming a tune or two that they heard live in Wallace Park,” said Alderman Porter.
To show its recognition of all that Sir Richard Wallace did for the people of Lisburn the Council is holding more events later in the year to celebrate his life including the Children’s Art Festival, Victorian workshops in the Lisburn Museum, and biodiversity sessions for schools.
The Wallace Exhibition, telling the story of Sir Richard and his contribution to Lisburn, recently opened at the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum, and it will be in place until the end of the year. So please be sure to visit it and help the Council celebrate 200 years since the birth of the remarkable Sir Richard Wallace.