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Hundreds attend 80th anniversary D-Day beacon lighting in Portrush

Hundreds attend 80th anniversary D-Day beacon lighting in Portrush

Fri, June 07, 2024

Hundreds have attended Council’s D-Day commemorative beacon lighting ceremony held at East Strand, Portrush on Thursday 6th June 2024.

Attendees joined with communities from across the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories to commemorate the heroism and sacrifices of those involved in the Normandy invasion, marking 80 years since D-Day, a major turning point in World War II.

The ceremony was led by Rev Dr JI Thompson, President of the RBL Group 10, who read the International Tribute.

County Antrim Deputy Lord Lieutenant Stephen Bailie accompanied by Alderman Michelle Knight-McQuillan, chair of the Garvagh branch of the Royal British, lit the commemorative beacon joining with other local authorities across the UK and northern France.

Remembering the heroic sacrifices made on D-Day. She said: “The lighting of this Beacon, is known as the Lighting of the Peace and I hope it has brought a feeling of peace, tranquillity and optimism for all who attended.”

The ceremony included a military vehicle display, a performance from the Pipes and Drums of 152 North Irish Regiment Royal Logistics Corps, with Army Cadets, Sea Cadets, Air Training Corps, and members of the Royal British Legion and other veteran organisations, also in attendance.

Council would like to thank all who attended to mark this most historic of days.

County Antrim Deputy Lord Lieutenant Colonel Dr Stephen Bailie accompanied by Alderman Michelle Knight-McQuillan, chair of the Garvagh branch of the Royal British Legion, lighting the commemorative D-Day beacon. Alderman Michelle Knight-McQuillan, chair of the Garvagh branch of the Royal British Legion alongside the lit commemorative beacon at East Strand, Portrush to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The commemorative beacon at East Strand, Portrush to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. D-Day beacon lighting ceremony held at East Strand, Portrush to commemorate the 80th anniversary. Sea Cadets pictured at East Strand, Portrush for the D-Day beacon lighting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. A performance from the Pipes and Drums of 152 North Irish Regiment Royal Logistics Corps pictured at East Strand, Portrush for the D-Day beacon lighting. The commemorative beacon at East Strand, Portrush to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The commemorative beacon at East Strand, Portrush to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. A performance from the Pipes and Drums of 152 North Irish Regiment Royal Logistics Corps pictured at East Strand, Portrush for the D-Day beacon lighting at East Strand, Portrush. One of the military vehicles on display as the members of Pipes and Drums of 152 North Irish Regiment Royal Logistics Corps perform at East Strand, Portrush.
Standard bearers from the Royal British Legion, pictured at East Strand, Portrush for the D-Day beacon lighting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The Pipes and Drums of 152 North Irish Regiment Royal Logistics Corps pictured at East Strand, Portrush for the D-Day beacon lighting. Military personnel and cadets pictured at East Strand, Portrush for the D-Day beacon lighting at East Strand, Portrush. Hundreds of people attended East Strand, Portrush for the D-Day beacon lighting. Sea Cadets pictured at East Strand, Portrush for the D-Day beacon lighting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Sea Cadets pictured at East Strand, Portrush for the D-Day beacon lighting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Army Cadets pictured at East Strand, Portrush for the D-Day beacon lighting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. RAF Training Corps pictured at East Strand, Portrush for the D-Day beacon lighting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.