Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has hosted its flagship VE Day 80 event in Coleraine on Thursday 8th May 2025.
The programme saw a military village, static military vehicle displays and a themed tea dance in New Row Presbyterian Church Hall. While children who participated a souvenir mug to mark VE Day 80 competition were presented with their prizes.
Entertainment in the form of The Leading Ladies ensured members of the public in attendance were treated to war time themed music, while historical talks took place on Queen Street.
The day’s events culminated in a special beacon lighting ceremony at 9:30pm by Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry Alison Millar; where members of the public paid their respects to those who lost their lives joining towns and villages around the UK to mark VE Day 80.
Council’s PR team was privileged in the lead up to VE Day 80 to interview local veterans Norman Irwin from Coleraine who is aged 106-year-old and 101-year-old Margaret Robertson who lives in Eglinton.
Both centenarians talked about what VE Day means to them and were presented with souvenir handcrafted mugs made by local artist Fiona Shannon. Margaret who attended the commemorative service said: “I was a flight mechanic, and everyone was fired up to do the best for your country” she continued: “War is terrible….it’s people that are important not things….it will be interesting to speak to people that were under the same conditions I was under.”
Norman who marked VE Day 80 from home said: “Immediately war broke out I joined…it’s difficult to bring it back to mind after such a long time, it’s 80 years you know…..we must be very sure and it’s very important that we remember the people who fought and fell in that war.”
As the day’s events progressed Deputy Mayor Councillor Tanya Stirling said: “Thank you to veterans Margaret Robertson and Norman Irwin, both of whom supported us with today’s commemorative event which was a privilege.
“2025 marks 80 years since Victory in Europe and I am sure you will all agree that the programme of events today has been both interesting and thought provoking, thank you to all who came along to help Council mark this moment.”
During the VE Day 80 tribute the names of 363 fallen from the Borough were read aloud by Councillor Dawn Huggins, Alderman Richard Stewart and Councillor John Wisener.
Alderman Michelle Knight-McQuillan who is the Chair of Council’s Commemoration and Celebration Sub-Committee said: “What an honour it is for me to join the Deputy Mayor, fellow Elected Members and members of the public to mark the occasion of VE Day 80.
“It remains an historic day in our past and it is fitting that we have marked the occasion so poignantly and remember the bravery and sacrifices made by so many for peace. A message that is as important today as it was 80 years ago.”
“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to every person or group who has helped make today possible, including the entertainment, children, those involved in the military village and service personnel.
“We have been blessed with beautiful weather and a programme of events that was nothing short of fantastic.”
During the day’s events Churches throughout the Borough joined together for a collective ringing of church bells, while Counterpoint Choir also sang at the Cenotaph. Members of the public were treated to drama displays and historical talks, with a military parade from Coleraine Leisure Centre through the town centre arriving in the Diamond.
Local businesses had dressed their windows for the occasion as part of Council’s Town and Village Management team’s VE Day period themed competition, the winner Number 6 Queen Street was presented with a handcrafted trophy made by Alan Dean of Scenic Woodcraft.
In conjunction with the VE Day 80 flagship celebrations in Coleraine, Council’s Museums Services also have new exhibitions in Coleraine and Ballymoney. Their ‘Cheers and Tears: Local Stories of VE Day’ in Coleraine Town Hall, looks back to the end of World War Two, the exhibition explores how towns and villages celebrated the end of conflict in Europe, the experiences of local service personnel and the social change following the war.
The free exhibition is open Tuesday to Saturday 11am – 4pm, through to 30th August.
Council's Verterans Champion Cllr Philip Anderson added: "What a fitting tribute to those who fought on this, the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
"It is important that we celebrate, commemorate and remember VE Day so that we never forget and so the younger generation learns of the sacrifices made by many for freedom.
"Thank you to the people of Coleraine and indeed throughout the Borough who came in their crowds to reflect and remember those who sacrificed their lives for their country and for peace."
Council would like to extend a thank you to all the people who helped with the VE Day 80 event in Coleraine, from community and historical groups to churches and members of the public person including the entertainment, children, those involved in the military village and all service personnel.
To watch videos recorded of local veterans visit:
Norman Irwin : https://youtu.be/aAcwxfknbpg
Margaret Robertson : https://youtu.be/41JiKuKATwc
A military village and static vehicle display took place at Queen Street & St Patrick’s Church as part of the VE Day 80 commemoration in Coleraine.
The Leading Ladies took to the stage at the VE Day 80 commemoration in Coleraine, as the crowds soaked up the evening sunshine.
The Leading Ladies took to the stage at the VE Day 80 commemoration in Coleraine, as the crowds soaked up the evening sunshine.
Compere for the evening's entertainment was Brian Moore.
Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Tanya Stirling, pictured with children from Victoria Lagan Dance and Drama.
Children from Victoria Lagan Dance and Drama performing a drama piece on stage.
Children from DH Christie Memorial Primary School performing a drama piece on stage.
Children from DH Christie Memorial Primary School performing a drama piece on stage.
The ‘Design a Mug’ competition winners Maya Fzulkowska (Key Stage 1) and Zander Spence (Key Stage 2), both from Millburn Primary School receiving a mug of their own design from Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Tanya Stirling, and Alderman Michelle Knight-McQuillan.
No. 6 Queen Street was announced as the winner of the VE Day period themed Window Dressing Competition organised by Council’s Town & Village Management Team. Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Tanya Stirling, and Alderman Michelle Knight-McQuillan presented a handcrafted trophy made by Alan Dean of Scenic Woodcraft.
Veteran Norman Irwin, receiving a specially commissioned mug for his participation in interviews prior to the VE Day 80 celebration. The mug was presented by Deputy Mayor of Causeway, Councillor Tanya Stirling, and Alderman Michelle Knight-McQuillan.
Veteran Margaret Robertson, receiving a specially commissioned mug for his participation in interviews prior to the VE Day 80 celebration. The mug was presented by Deputy Mayor of Causeway, Councillor Tanya Stirling and Alderman Michelle Knight-McQuillan.
The crowds soaked up the evening sunshine as The Leading Ladies took to the stage.
The ‘Design a Mug’ competition winners Maya Fzulkowska (Key Stage 1) and Zander Spence (Key Stage 2), both from Millburn Primary School receiving a mug of their own design from Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Tanya Stirling, and Alderman Michelle Knight-McQuillan.
The military parade, led by the band, made its way from Coleraine Leisure Centre, through the town centre, finishing at the Cenotaph in the Diamond.
The military parade made its way from Coleraine Leisure Centre, through the town centre, finishing at the Cenotaph in the Diamond.
Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry, Mrs Alison Millar and High Sheriff Mr Ian Henry, take the salute as the military parade passes by Coleraine Town Hall.
The military parade, led by the band, made its way from Coleraine Leisure Centre, through the town centre, finishing at the Cenotaph in the Diamond.
At the Cenotaph, a welcome address was delivered by the Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Tanya Stirling.
A VE Day 80 Tribute was given by Alderman Michelle Knight-McQuillan during the Act of Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph.
The names of the Fallen Soldiers from the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough were read by Councillor Dawn Huggins, Alderman Richard Stewart and Councillor John Wisener.
Elected Members pictured at the VE Day 80 commemoration event in Coleraine.
As the evening’s proceedings moved to the Cenotaph in the Diamond, the Counterpoint Choir performed three very moving pieces of music.
A Commemorative VE Day 80 Beacon was lit by Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry, Mrs Alison Millar, marking the conclusion of the programme.
Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry, Mrs Alison Millar, lighting the special commemorative VE Day 80 Beacon, alongside Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Tanya Stirling, marking the conclusion of the programme.