CELEBRATING 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY WITH HIS MAJESTY’S LORD LIEUTENANT OF BELFAST AT STRANMILLIS COLLEGE

The 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe ( VE) Day was recently commemorated by a special event held in Belfast.  Organised by the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast and the Reserves Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Northern Ireland ( RFCA NI) supported by 38 (Irish) Brigade, it was hosted by Stranmillis University College, Belfast.

The event included the firing of a 21 gun Royal Gun Salute to mark the second anniversary of the Coronation of Their Majesties Kind Charles III and Queen Camilla.  Traditionally held in Hillsborough Castle, this was the first time that a Royal Gun Salute had taken place in Belfast since 1999. Over 150 guests from the local community were invited and after the gun salute they attended a reception in the College which was colourfully decorated and featured displays of World War II supplied by the NI War Museum.  The Band of the Royal Irish Regiment joined by the pipes and drums of Campbell College performed a splendid Beating Retreat to conclude the event.

Thanking the participants and guests, The Lord Lieutenant of Belfast, Dame Fionnuala Jay O’Boyle DBE DStJ said, “Today’s event is a sensitive balance of reflection and celebration.  It commemorates enormous sacrifice and acknowledges the steadfast resilience of those who lived through World War II. Indeed, it is a fitting tribute that we hold this event in Belfast which suffered so much especially during the Blitz.  And even more significant is the choice of Stranmillis University College as host venue which was repurposed as a military hospital from 1939-1944.

But this occasion also celebrates the peace and freedom  afforded to us all as a result.  I am delighted that with our partners, RFCA NI, 38 (Irish) Brigade and Stranmillis University College, we have marked both VE8O and Their Majesties Coronation in a collective spirit of remembrance and joy”.