Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has officially received a delegation from Normandy, France, at Carrickfergus Castle. The visit served as a precursor to the European Year of the Normans, which is set to take place in 2027.

During the meeting held within the castle's Keep, the Minister met with Hervé Morin, the President of the Normandy Region, along with other officials from the Normandy Council. To mark the occasion, Minister Lyons presented President Morin with a unique commemorative plaque. The gift, which featured the Year of the Normans 2027 emblem, was produced from wrought iron and mounted on Scrabo sandstone by apprentices from the Conservation Works Team. Reflecting on the significance of the location and the partnership, the Minister said: "I am pleased to welcome the Normandy Delegation to Carrickfergus Castle which is one of the best examples of a Norman Castle in Europe. Our shared heritage across Northern Ireland and, indeed, Europe provides a powerful platform for understanding our collective past while creating meaningful opportunities for those who live, work, and visit these shores."

"Recent investment in my Department's State Care Conservation Works Team and the Northern Ireland Heritage Skills Centre is helping to strengthen the skills base needed to sustain all of our State Care Monuments found within communities across Northern Ireland. Heritage skills sharing will bring benefits to all of our historic places and people."

In preparation for the 2027 celebrations, the Department has developed a dedicated programme focusing on State Care Monuments. Planned activities include a family fun day at Dundrum Castle and a series of educational walks and talks hosted by archaeologists at various Norman sites, including Dromore motte and bailey, Inch Abbey, and Carrickfergus Castle. Additionally, an exhibition titled Castles, Mottes and Monasteries is being organised, which will feature materials from the HERoNI archive.