Celebrating 80 years of Victory in Europe

May 1 2025

Wartime Reflections

Larne Museum and Arts Centre

2pm to 4pm

Featuring NI Screen footage from the war years, a short story based on a true story by a local author, ‘The Day the Yanks dropped in to Kilwaughter’ and a presentation on Animals at War.

RSVP will be to: Members.Services@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Wartime Carrickfergus Exhibition

Carrickfergus Museum

1 May to 23 June 2025

A new exhibition celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day is on at Carrickfergus Museum.

Throughout the Second World War, many men and women from the town volunteered for active service in the Armed Forces.

But for those who remained behind, the town change dramatically.

The exhibition highlights the contributions made by those on the Home Front.

May 3 2025

VE80 Commemorations

Andrew Jackson Centre and US Rangers Museum

11am to 3pm

Join us at the Andrew Jackson Centre and US Rangers Museum at Bonnybefore for a day of VE80 commemorations on wartime themes, and some good musical entertainment as well.

Talks on wartime themes and a variety of music.

RSVP will be to: Members.Services@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

May 8 2025

VE80 Celebrations and Lighting of the Beacons of Freedom

Ballymena:

From 7pm at The People’s Park, Ballymena, with the Swing Gals, Antrim and Derry Fiddlers, Geraldine Donnelly dancers, and children’s entertainment.

Carrickfergus:

Starting at 6.30pm, at Carrickfergus Town Hall and War Memorial Gardens, we have Third Carrickfergus Band, Zolene and the ALS Band, Campbell College Pipe Band, Sir Henry Inglesbys Fife and Drum, a children’s magic show, facepainting and storytelling.

The parade from Carrick Town Hall to the War Memorial Gardens for the lighting of the Beacon of Freedom at 9.30pm.

Larne:

Parade from Larne Harbour front to the Curran Park at 7.30pm, symbolizing the wartime role of the port.

Curran Park, Larne, with Kellswater Flute Band, Larne Harbour Accordion Band, Belfast Jazz Duo, storytelling, children’s magic show, facepainting and community tables.

Featuring local musicians, storytellers, children’s entertainers and more.

May 10, 2025

The Secret Elephant

Andrew Jackson Centre

Children’s event at Andrew Jackson Centre; author and illustrator Ellan Rankin tells the story of 'The Secret Elephant' and the Belfast zookeeper who brought the elephant home along the Antrim Road each night in case the zoo was bombed.

Ellan will also be taking an arts workshop with children making a bookmark to take away.

Places are limited and booking can be made through the Ticketsource website for this event.

VE Day 80 Anniversary celebration

11am to 3pm

Carrickfergus Town Hall

Carrickfergus Museum and Carrickfergus Historical Society are putting on a VE event not to be missed!

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe day, join everyone in the Town Hall for a day demonstrations, displays, workshops, talks, games, music and dancing!

Featuring contributions from local organisations active during the war, including, Women’s Institute, St John’s Ambulance, Boys Brigade, Cadet forces and more.

Need tips on how to make do and mend? Want to know how to make your wartime rations last? Or maybe learn to jive? Come on down and experience all on offer!

For more information T: 028 9335 8241 or E: carrickfergusmuseums@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Colouring Book for children

In the past our council colouring books for NI100, the Jubilee and the Coronation were very sought after and popular.

This year we have a bespoke colouring book with artwork from local artist Louis Humphrey from sites across the borough associated with the wartime period, including Dunaird Camp at Broughshane, Sunnylands camp in Carrick, Larne naval base, and others.

This will be available at our VE80 events.