Northern Ireland marks 80th anniversary of VE Day

The front of a stone building with domes and lots of windows, lit up red against a night skyPA Media

Belfast City Hall was lit up red on Wednesday night to mark 80 years since victory in Europe

Abigail Taylor and Hayley Halpin
BBC News NI

Northern Ireland has marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a series of events to commemorate the end of fighting in Europe in World War Two.

A number of activities, including historical talks, parades and services, have been held across Northern Ireland.

Belfast City Hall was lit up red on Wednesday night, and again on Thursday, and Stormont was lit in blue on Thursday night.

A two-minutes silence was held at midday, and beacons were lit across Northern Ireland as symbols of hope on a day that commemorated the celebrations held when war ended 80 years ago.

The Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum's James O'Neill said VE Day in 1945 was hugely significant for Northern Ireland, coming as it did after six years of war.

"There's footage that shows thousands of people flooding the streets," he told BBC News NI.

"And for many, it's just a release of the worry that would naturally fill your mind.

"Northern Ireland had been used as a training base for thousands upon thousands of troops, it had been heavily militarised, there were airfields built, there were naval stations built, the war very much wasn't just somewhere else.

"It was here and this affected everyone across the province."

Commentator Lt. Commander Harry McMullan with Samuel Megraw, a shipyard worker and Lt. Commander J.M. Sowry, RNVR, broadcasting in Northern Ireland's contribution to Victory Report from Pollock Dock, Belfast

Commentator Lt. Commander Harry McMullan with Samuel Megraw, a shipyard worker and Lt. Commander J.M. Sowry, RNVR, broadcasting in Northern Ireland's contribution to Victory Report from Pollock Dock, Belfast

Ninety-eight-year-old George Horner, from Carrickfergus, County Antrim, was a sergeant with the Royal Ulster Rifles and landed on Sword Beach during the D-Day landings.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme, Mr Horner said the announcement of victory in Europe was great.

"It was time to get back home to civilisation, but I enjoyed the army," he said.

"I feel lucky that I survived."

A black arch over a road. There are seven sections in the middle of the top of the arch that are covered in a white cloth. There are five flags along the top.

The images were unveiled at a ceremony on Thursday night

A memorial arch which cost £40,000 was installed on Belfast's Shankill Road to mark VE Day.

A number of shopkeepers wore 1940s-style clothes, and music from the time was played from a loudspeaker, as people marked the historic anniversary.

The arch commemorates those who served in the British forces during World War Two and other conflicts.

Events have taken place across Northern Ireland to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day

Imelda Truesdale, artist in residence at a Shankill community group, said the VE anniversary had brought people together.

"The atmosphere has been amazing. There's a real, happy vibe," she said.

"There are lots of tourists about, the shops are all busy, and it's been really good for the area."

Little-Pengelly is smiling at the camera. She has shoulder length black hair and is wearing a black blazer and black dress. She is wearing a pin badge with a red poppy on it.

Emma Little-Pengelly attended events in Lisburn

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly attended commemorative events in Lisburn.

She said people reminiscing about the day had mixed feelings.

"They talk about that sense of relief when peace broke out," she said.

"But 700,000 people across the UK and Ireland gave their lives in that war so you can understand that sense of relief but of course that loss and grief of the many that were lost."

Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Kurtis Dickson said for many at the time it was a day of sorrow as loved ones did not come home, but for others it was a "great celebration".

"People were on the streets dancing and partying," he said.

The DUP leader, Gavin Robinson, said the VE Day events were important.

Referring to current conflicts across the world, Robinson said: "There are modern parallels - we don't want history to repeat itself."

A large crowd of schoolchildren in grey uniforms, on wooden benches inside a cathedral, there are white beams and stone walls

Pupils attended a remembrance service in Londonderry on Thursday morning

Meanwhile, an act of remembrance was held in Londonderry.

People gathered in St Columb's Church of Ireland cathedral on Thursday morning to reflect on those who died.

The event was attended by children from Fountain Primary School who also took in an exhibition and talk about the war and its effect on people who lived through it.

A man, wearing a cap and a navy uniform jacket, smiling at the camera. There is a cathedral building behind him.

The Lord Lieutenant for the County Borough of Londonderry, Ian Crowe, says it was special to be part of the service

A civic commemorative service also took place at the cathedral on Wednesday evening.

The Lord Lieutenant for the County Borough of Londonderry, Ian Crowe, said it was a very special service to be a part of and important to highlight the city's "pivotal" links to VE Day.

On 14 May 1945 the first of the German U-boats made their way up the Foyle to the port of Lisahally where they were formally ordered to surrender.

Helen Walker, Jeanette Warke, Donna Best, Annie Shields, Carol Wright are dressed as WW2 'Land Ladies'. They are wearing red headbands and grey coloured T-shirts. They are standing in front of a number of flags and bunting.

Helen Walker, Jeanette Warke, Donna Best, Annie Shields, Carol Wright dressed as 'Land Ladies' for a tea party in The Fountain in Londonderry

The ceremony at St Columb's was one of a number of events in the north west to mark VE Day.

People gathered for a tea party in the Fountain estate.

Helen Walker, Jeanette Warke, Donna Best, Annie Shields, and Carol Wright dressed as 'Land Girls' from World War Two for the event.

The Women's Land Army (WLA) was established during World War One, but re-formed in June 1939 to address labour shortages caused by conscription.

By the end of the war, more than 80,000 women were working in the fields. They carried out a wide range of tasks, including milking cows, lambing, managing poultry, ploughing, gathering crops, and performing farm maintenance.

Donna Thompson is in a striped red and black top and wearing a red hairband. She is standing beside a large Union flag and has another in her hand. A number of children are playing in the background

Donna Thompson, who is 83, from the Fountain estate said it was important to commentate VE Day

Community worker Jeanette Warke said it was important to mark the 80th anniversary.

"A total of 99 men with connections to the Fountain left here and lost their lives so it's important to remember them," Ms Warke said.

Helen Park is in a striped blue and white top and navy blazer. She is wearing glasses and pearls. She is holding a large black and white photograph. A number of children are in the background.

Helen Park brought a photograph from VE Day to the street party in Londonderry

Helen Park was just four years old on VE day and brought a very special photograph along to the street party in Derry.

The black and white photograph, dated from 1945, showed her and others attending a street party that her uncle organised on that very day.

"It's lovely that the children are involved today and creating memories like we did."

'Celebrate their strength'

'If people don't remember them, it diminishes what they had to do'

Among those taking in the VE Day events was Jill Weggery - she has lived in New Zealand for more than 20 years, but visited Northern Ireland for the first time in the hope of learning about her mother.

Castledine Howard, from west Yorkshire, was 18 when she and her sister Pearl joined the Wrens (Women's Royal Navy Service) four years into the war.

She was posted to Belfast until the war ended in 1945, and was based in barracks nearby.

"I would love to find somewhere just to stand in quiet and think about mum, but also to think about the happy times, knowing that there'd been victory in Europe and that war would be coming to an end," Ms Weggery said.

"On VE Day I know she was out with the Americans celebrating with her sister and everybody, and having just a great time."

Paddy, left, is looking at the camera and has a very long grey beard. He is wearing military uniform and has a number of medals on his left lapel. Brian, right, is looking at the camera. He is bald and also wearing military dress. He has a blue and yellow ribbon around his neck and also has a number of medals on his left lapel.

Paddy McQuaid and Brian Sloan of the Royal Irish at a VE Day ceremony in Lisburn

Paddy McQuaid and Brian Sloan of the Royal Irish Regiment were at the ceremony in Lisburn.

Mr Sloan said: "This is a time when we can turn around and say, yes that is our history. We remember the fallen and the battles they took part in, it is ingrained in you as a soldier, what this means."

Mr McQuaid said the men of his regiment were especially brave, with 64 Victoria Crosses.

First awarded in 1857, the Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest award available to the British and Commonwealth armed forces for gallantry in action with the enemy.

Beacons lit across Northern Ireland

Three men, dressed in navy suits, walking with flags. People are gathered at a statue in the background.

A parade was held in Coleraine to commemorate VE Day on Thursday evening

Belfast marked the anniversary with a series of events at City Hall, including guided walking tours, church services and a tea dance hosted by Hugo Duncan.

Many locations including Bangor, Ards and Ballyhalbert, Lisburn, Armagh, Enniskillen, Coleraine, Londonderry and Carrickfergus lit beacons as symbols of hope for future generations.

A man, wearing a navy uniform cap and jacket, looking at the camera.

Drew Rowan says his great grandfather Andrew was killed on the first day of the Somme

At Craigavon Civic Centre a large crowd attended a special commemorative event.

Afterwards, Corcrain Band led council members and attendees on a short parade to the beacon.

Conductor Drew Rowan has been in the band since 1956.

"In the early days a lot of the others were ex-servicemen who fought in the war and then came back. It's a great privilege for our band to be involved. My great grandfather Andrew was killed on the first day of the Somme," Mr Rowan said.

A group of people standing around a beacon being lit in a field at dusk.

A beacon was lit in Craigavon on Thursday evening

A woman with blond hair, wearing a black and red robe. She is looking at the camera. There is a group of people standing in the background.

Councillor Dawn Huggins says people were "proud" to march in Coleraine's parade

A replica Supermarine Spitfire, used extensively by the Allied Forces during World War Two, on display on the grass outside Belfast City Hall, which is partially visible in the background.

A replica Supermarine Spitfire was on display outside Belfast City Hall

In Coleraine, Councillor Dawn Huggins, who served 28 years in the army, took part in the parade.

"People were proud to march with their medals and pay their respects," Huggins said.

"It was great because there's a great camaraderie and there's the cadets and you're seeing the youngsters coming through".

Kas Aloel who is originally from Tunisia attended the VE commemoration events in Coleraine.

He said: "For me, victory of Europe is not British military victory or a Europe military victory, it was victory for all the world.

"I think the event is a lesson to build a new bridge for new generations."

What is VE Day - or Victory in Europe Day?

Two cups - both are white. The one on the left is painted with a blue V and the one of the right is painted with a red V.

VE Day cups from 1945 in The Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum

Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8 May 1945 saw Britain and its Allies formally accept Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender after almost six years of war.

At 15:00, Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced on the radio that the war in Europe had come to an end, following Germany's surrender the day before.

Spontaneous celebrations broke out across the country, and the late Queen Elizabeth II - then Princess Elizabeth - and her sister Princess Margaret ventured out with a group of friends to experience the excitement in London.

Further celebrations will take place in August to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day), which marked the end of World War Two.

Additional reporting by Maria McCann, Cormac Campbell, Bernie Allen, Ashleigh Swan, Mark Simpson, Emma Orr and Keiron Tourish.

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