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NI politicians attend service to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day

Jessica Lawrence
BBC News NI
Pacemaker Emma Little-Pengelly stands with the Dean of Belfast Rev Stephen Forde and Michelle O'Neill on the steps outside Belfast Cathedral. Little-Pengelly stands on the left wearing a blue dress and white blazer, and has long, dark hair. In the middle is Rev Forde, who is wearing a white robe with a black long scarf. He has short white hair and is wearing silver round glasses. On the right is O'Neill, who is wearing a navy suit and light blue button up shirt and has her blonde hair tied back.Pacemaker
The first and deputy first ministers attended the VE Day Thanksgiving Service in Belfast Cathedral on Sunday

A special service has taken place at Belfast Cathedral to mark the beginning of the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day.

It is the first of a planned week of commemorative events set to remember the end of World War Two in Europe on 8 May 1945.

The event was organised by the Cathedral, the Lord Lieutenant for Belfast Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle and the Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum.

The service, which was held on Sunday afternoon, featured music from the 1940s, prayers and a re-enactment of those voices who were present during VE Day as part of the museum's oral history project.

Both the First Minister, Michelle O'Neill and the Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, were among those present.

VE veterans remembered

In a message to attendees, Mrs Jay-O'Boyle said news that World War Two had ended brought "unrestrained joy" to the people of Northern Ireland.

"No one was unaffected, and freedom, independence and the preservation of democracy had been achieved at a hugely high cost," she said.

"At this challenging time for Europe and the world, it is entirely right that we remember with proud sorrow the sacrifice of all who endured the vicissitudes of the Second World War."

A small table is draped in a white cloth with the head of a mannequin, a framed black and white photo and four mannequins displaying army uniforms and overalls are on display at the church.
War memorabilia was on display during the service

The Very Rev Stephen Forde, who led the service, remembered those who sacrificed their lives for peace.

"We also remember the heroism and sacrifices of all those who contributed to the war effort on the home front, in agriculture and industries, as firefighters, or air-raid wardens as scientists or code breaks, or those who guarded our skies and seas from cold and remote lookout towers," he added.

"In today's service, the twin challenges of peacekeeping and peace building are represented by those on whose shoulders our future peace depends."

Pacemaker A wide shot of the interior of Belfast Cathedral. In the rows, those in military uniforms watch on as a Union Jack is brought up to the alter of the Cathedral by a uniformed officer. To the side are clergy representatives in white and black robes. The cathedral is made up of white stone walls and marbled forced featuring white, pink and black squares.Pacemaker
Politicians, representatives from the Royal British Legion and Forces Cadets were present at Sunday's event

Representatives from other religious orders also took part in the event, including Fr Colin Grant, who was representing the Catholic Bishop of Down and Connor Alan McGuckian.

Irish Presbyterian moderator the Rev Dr Richard Murray, Methodist Church of Ireland President the Rev Dr John Alderdice and the Anglican Bishop of Connor Rt Rev George Davidson also gave readings.

What is VE Day?

VE Day held on 8 May, 1945, celebrated the end of war in Europe.

The British government had been planning the celebration from late 1944. The code word 'mousetrap' alerted ministers when VE Day was imminent.

Pubs stayed open late and searchlights were used to light public monuments.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill broadcast the news of the German surrender to the nation at 15:00 from Whitehall. Listeners later heard their first weather forecast since war began.

To mark the 80th anniversary, four days of commemorative events have been planned across the UK, from 5 to 8 May.