A former teacher and artist says he is grateful and humbled to have been named as the next High Sheriff of Co Fermanagh.
Noelle McAlinden has been named as the latest Fermanagh person to take up the ceremonial role for the year ahead.
The role is one which means she will officially greet members of the Royal Family or heads of state if they visit the county.
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Originally from Co Armagh, Noelle moved to Fermanagh in 1983 to take up a teaching job and has become heavily involved with community life in the county, including roles with the Aisling Centre, Fermanagh Live and Lakeland Players.
“I’ve worked across arts and culture pretty much all my life so I see this as an opportunity to build on that,” Noelle said of her new role.
“It’s lovely to be nominated and to know that I’ve been made very welcome here in Fermanagh by people.
“It’s very much my home even though I spend some time in Maghery where I’m from originally. Fermanagh has been very good to me and I feel very fulfilled here.
“There have been quite a number of high sheriffs over the years, Pat O’Doherty was the high sheriff last year.
“There’s a number of duties around the role, basically you are representing the county of Fermanagh should there be anybody coming from the Royal Family or heads of state.
“It’s an opportunity to promote the county in terms of the people and the place.”
Noelle added that she was grateful for those who had put her forward for the position.
“I am humbled to accept this role and look forward to building on the excellent work of my predecessors.
“I have a lot of gratitude to those who nominated me and grateful to those that have made me feel so much at home in this beautiful county of Fermanagh.”
“It’s very much to do with your voluntary and community work and your contribution to the community in general.
“It might be seen as a limited role but I just see it as an opportunity to keep doing what I’m doing and to build on that.”
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