Latest news with #FionnualaJay-O'Boyle
Belfast Telegraph
09-05-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Memorial arch telling stories of NI people who fought in wars is unveiled in Belfast
It tells the stories of people from across Northern Ireland who served in the armed forces. Thousands lined the streets as bands and those dressed in the uniforms and clothing of the day passed by. The Lord-Lieutenant for the County Borough of Belfast, Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle was there for the ribbon cutting, as was Andy Allen MLA, who served in Afghanistan. 'It's an honour to be part of something like this,' he said. 'It's so important for us to remember those who fought for our country and our freedoms and I think looking at the amount of people that have come to this, it's something that's very important to the people of the Shankill Road.' The project has taken the Ulster Military Memorial Arch Committee 18 months to plan and execute. The committee is made up of veterans and community activists and the project has been funded through donations from across Northern Ireland. 'This is something that a lot of people not only in the Shankill area but across Northern Ireland wanted to see. It is a real credit to anyone that donated and it highlights the admiration people here have for our veterans,' Mr Allen said. He hopes the arch is something that people will admire on VE Day for generations to come. 'It is one of many things across the area that highlights and commemorates our veterans. There's a lot of people here today to show their support but we're very hopeful it's something people will appreciate for a very long time,' Mr Allen said. The arch showcases stories of Northern Irish veterans. Watch: East Belfast Celebrates VE Day One is Army medic Cpl Channing Day from Comber, who died in Afghanistan in 2012, aged 25. Legendary World War Two SAS leader, Col Blair 'Paddy' Mayne, from Co Down, is also featured. Images from the Crimean War, the First World War and the Falklands are also featured on the archway. 'It's important that we remember everyone who fought for our country's liberty and this arch is just another thing that highlights how much admiration and respect people across Northern Ireland have for all of the veterans that served our country well,' Mr Allen said. Mr Allen opened the arch alongside Trevor Clarke, a 102-year-old WW2 RAF veteran. Mr Allen said: 'It's such an honour to be alongside a World War II veteran. Those veterans showed immense bravery and faced unbelievable struggles head on. We had our own struggles in Afghanistan but they were a different kind of struggle. 'I, myself, and indeed everyone here, will be forever grateful to our soldiers that fought in World War Two as they have afforded us the freedoms and liberties we are able to enjoy today.' Following the opening of the arch, a parade of veterans, ex-service associations, cadets, faith-based youth groups, Somme Associations, local re-enactment groups and local loyal order representatives led by the Frontier Pipe Band made their way to Tennent Street for a Celebratory Concert in the Spectrum Centre.
Belfast Telegraph
09-05-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Memorial arch telling the stories of NI people who fought in wars is unveiled in Belfast
It tells the stories of people from across Northern Ireland who served in the armed forces. Thousands lined the streets as bands and those dressed in the uniforms and clothing of the day passed by. The Lord-Lieutenant for the County Borough of Belfast, Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle was there for the ribbon cutting, as was Andy Allen MLA, who served in Afghanistan. 'It's an honour to be part of something like this,' he said. 'It's so important for us to remember those who fought for our country and our freedoms and I think looking at the amount of people that have come to this, it's something that's very important to the people of the Shankill Road.' The project has taken the Ulster Military Memorial Arch Committee 18 months to plan and execute. The committee is made up of veterans and community activists and the project has been funded through donations from across Northern Ireland. 'This is something that a lot of people not only in the Shankill area but across Northern Ireland wanted to see. It is a real credit to anyone that donated and it highlights the admiration people here have for our veterans,' Mr Allen said. He hopes the arch is something that people will admire on VE Day for generations to come. 'It is one of many things across the area that highlights and commemorates our veterans. There's a lot of people here today to show their support but we're very hopeful it's something people will appreciate for a very long time,' Mr Allen said. The arch showcases stories of Northern Irish veterans. Watch: East Belfast Celebrates VE Day One is Army medic Cpl Channing Day from Comber, who died in Afghanistan in 2012, aged 25. Legendary World War Two SAS leader, Col Blair 'Paddy' Mayne, from Co Down, is also featured. Images from the Crimean War, the First World War and the Falklands are also featured on the archway. 'It's important that we remember everyone who fought for our country's liberty and this arch is just another thing that highlights how much admiration and respect people across Northern Ireland have for all of the veterans that served our country well,' Mr Allen said. Mr Allen opened the arch alongside Trevor Clarke, a 102-year-old WW2 RAF veteran. Mr Allen said: 'It's such an honour to be alongside a World War II veteran. Those veterans showed immense bravery and faced unbelievable struggles head on. We had our own struggles in Afghanistan but they were a different kind of struggle. 'I, myself, and indeed everyone here, will be forever grateful to our soldiers that fought in World War Two as they have afforded us the freedoms and liberties we are able to enjoy today.' Following the opening of the arch, a parade of veterans, ex-service associations, cadets, faith-based youth groups, Somme Associations, local re-enactment groups and local loyal order representatives led by the Frontier Pipe Band made their way to Tennent Street for a Celebratory Concert in the Spectrum Centre.
Belfast Telegraph
05-05-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
First and Deputy First Ministers display united front at VE Day commemoration
The First and Deputy Deputy First Ministers sat together at the event to mark 80 years since the formal acceptance by the Allies of Germany's unconditional surrender in World War Two. The service was hosted by His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast, Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle, and the Dean of Belfast, the Very Reverend Stephen Forde. Dame Maria Eagle MP was also present, as well as DUP leader Gavin Robinson and his wife Lindsay. In the order of service, the Lord Lieutenant said: "The unrestrained joy that brought tens of thousands of people onto Belfast's streets and across Northern Ireland on May 8 1945 was at least, in part, a release of the fear and grief that had so characterised the years since the outbreak of war in 1939,' she said. "No one was unaffected, and freedom, independence and the preservation of democracy had been achieved at a hugely high cost. "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, but imperative also that we reflect on our common purpose as a nation, as individuals and within our own communities. Each of us has a role to play.' The Dean of Belfast said the event was also about remembering all those who contributed to the war effort. "We remember the heroism and sacrifice 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 breakers, or those who guarded our skies and seas from cold and remote lookout towers,' said Mr Forde. "Yet today, as we look back with gratitude we must also look forward. In today's service, the twin challenges of peace keeping and peace building, are represented by those on whose shoulders our future peace depends. "Peace, and the absence of war can never be taken for granted. Today let us pray with thanksgiving and hope for the God given gift of enduring peace.'
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NI politicians attend service to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day
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. King and Queen to host VE Day tea party for war veterans Red Arrows, royals and street parties: What to look out for on VE Day at 80 Europe marks VE Day with Trump on its mind
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NI politicians attend service to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day
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. King and Queen to host VE Day tea party for war veterans Red Arrows, royals and street parties: What to look out for on VE Day at 80 Europe marks VE Day with Trump on its mind
