Thanksgiving service takes place in Belfast

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.