Ards and North Down to Mark 80th Anniversary of VE Day with Beacon Lightings and Public Events
ARDS and North Down Council is to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a series of commemorative events across the borough on May 8-9.
Highlights of the programme will include beacon lightings in Bangor, Newtownards and Ballyhalbert, the raising of VE Day 80 flags, and a special outdoor performance by the Band of the Royal Irish Regiment at Bangor Castle.
Thursday, May 8 marks 80 years since Victory in Europe Day, signalling the official end of the Second World War in Europe. Commemorations will begin that morning with the raising of two unique VE Day 80 flags at 9am — one at Bangor Castle and the other at Conway Square, Newtownards.
Later that evening, attention will turn to three key locations —Bangor Castle, Conway Square and Ballyhalbert’s Burr Point — where community choirs will perform from 9pm, followed by the lighting of beacons at 9.30pm. The symbolic beacons represent the light and hope that followed the darkness of war.
The commemorations will conclude the following evening, Friday, May 9, when the Band of the Royal Irish Regiment will give a VE Day 80 performance at Bangor Castle at 7pm.
Complementing the council-led events, North Down Museum will host a range of themed activities throughout May, including a VE Recollections Exhibition (May 6 – August 3), a VE Day Talk on May 8, and a VE Day Living History Family Day with the Valhalla Theatre Group on Saturday, May 11.
Speaking ahead of the anniversary, the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alistair Cathcart, said: “The Second World War brought huge suffering to people across the world so it is important to commemorate this occasion. Members of the public are most welcome to attend any of the events where we will remember those who fought for our country and secured our freedom.”
For more details on the full programme, visit: www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/veday80.
- The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alistair Cathcart, at a beacon lighting in Bangor.
- The Band of the Royal Irish Regiment, who will perform at Bangor Castle on Friday, May 9th.
