Baron Glentoran

Baron Glentoran, of Ballyalloly in the County of Down, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on July 8, 1939 for the Unionist politician Herbert Dixon. In 1950 he also succeeded his elder brother as third Baronet, of Ballymenock (see below). His son, the second Baron, was also a politician and served as the last Speaker of the Senate of Northern Ireland. As of 2010 the titles are held by the latter's son, Robin Dixon, the third Baron, who succeeded in 1995. He is a former Olympic Bobsleigh gold medallist as well as a soldier, businessman and politician. Lord Glentoran is one of the ninety elected hereditary peers that remain in the House of Lords after the passing of the House of Lords Act of 1999, and sits on the Conservative benches.

The Dixon Baronetcy, of Ballymenock in the County of Antrim, was created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom in 1903 for Daniel Dixon. He served as Lord Mayor of Belfast and also represented Belfast North in the House of Commons. His eldest son, the second Baronet, was a member of the Senate of Northern Ireland and also served as Lord Lieutenant of Belfast. On his death in 1950 the title passed to his younger brother, the aforementioned Herbert Dixon, who had already been raised to the peerage as Baron Glentoran.