Northern Ireland is marking 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, are being held across Northern Ireland.

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

A two-minute silence was held at midday, and beacons lit across Northern Ireland as symbols of hope on a day that commemorates 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,” he said.

“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,” he said.

98-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, 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 memorial arch which cost £40,000 has been 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 the 2nd World war and other conflicts.

The images are covered, but will be unveiled at a ceremony on Thursday night.

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

She said: “The atmosphere has been amazing. There’s a real, happy vibe. There are lots of tourists about, the shops are all busy, and it’s been really good for the area.”

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

She said people reminiscing about the day have mixed feelings.

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

“But 7,000 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 loves 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 as they serve as a reminder.

Referring to current conflicts across the world, Robinson said: “There are modern parallels – we don’t want history to repeat itself”.

Meanwhile, an act of remembrance has been held in Londonderry.

People gathered in St Columb’s Church of Ireland cathedral on Thursday morning to reflect on the sacrifice of 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 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 said it was very 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.

Among those taking in the VE Day events was Jill Weggery – she has lived in New Zealand for more than 20 years, but is visiting 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 McQuaid and Brian Sloan of the Royal Irish Regiment were at the ceremony in Lisburn.

Mr Sloan said today is a focal point for remembering those, including his father, who fought in the war.

“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.

Belfast will mark 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 will light beacons as symbols of hope for future generations.

Riders and spectators at the North West 200 will observe a minute’s silence.

To search for an event in your local area, visit your council website or use the ve-vjday80.go.uk.

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 Bernie Allen, Emma Orr and Keiron Tourish.

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