Top RBL award for Ballycastle's Eileen

BALLYCASTLE woman, Eileen McAllister (née Jamieson) has been recognised with one of the most significant awards presented by the Royal British Legion, marking an extraordinary 45 years of dedicated service to the organisation.

Born in 1947 in the townland of Carnatley, Eileen began her working life at just 15 years of age in the office of McCaughans’s Garage on Market Street before moving to the Northern Ireland Electricity Service. It was during her time working there that she was encouraged to join the Royal British Legion by her colleague Paddy Moriarty. That encouragement would mark the beginning of more than four decades of unwavering commitment.

Eileen has been a devoted member of the Legion for 45 years and a volunteer Poppy Appeal collector for well over 40 years. Over the decades, she became one of the cornerstones of the Ballycastle branch. Serving as Honorary Treasurer, she took responsibility for the opening, counting and banking of all monies raised — ensuring complete care and accountability.

However, her duties extended far beyond financial oversight.

Eileen organised Poppy Appeal events annually across Ballycastle, Bonamargy and Rathlin Island — Northern Ireland’s only inhabited island. Each year, without fail, she coordinated volunteer collectors, arranged poppy sellers at supermarket entrances, organised house-to-house collections in the weeks leading up to Remembrance Sunday, and personally delivered and retrieved collection boxes.

She used her home garage as a workshop and storage hub for poppies and collection materials, making it the operational heart of the local appeal.

On Remembrance Sunday, wreaths were respectfully placed at the War Memorial in Ballycastle and at Bonamargy War Graves. Eileen also played a central role in organising commemorations on Rathlin Island. For many years, she arranged for members and volunteers to travel to the island — organising boat transport, securing tickets, coordinating timings, and even ensuring refreshments were available — helping to make the day both meaningful and enjoyable for all who attended.

Her attention to detail, organisational skill and selfless dedication ensured that every event ran smoothly and respectfully.

Although Eileen has recently stepped down from her role as Poppy Organiser, she remains a proud and valued member of the Royal British Legion in Ballycastle. Her service has left an enduring legacy within the community and within the Legion itself.

Eileen’s late husband William, along with her children David and Gillian, have supported her throughout her years of service, and her contribution to the community is widely recognised and deeply appreciated.

This award stands as fitting recognition of 45 years of outstanding commitment, generosity and remembrance.