DUP and SF row over whether siren should sound to commemorate 80th anniversary of Belfast Blitz

At Belfast City Council’s recent Strategic Policy and Resources committee this week, DUP Councillor Dale Pankhurst suggested an air raid siren and searchlights be turned on for the anniversary in front of city hall.

Sinn Fein Councillor Ciaran Beattie said this would be “alarming” for residents, and asked for something “more positive” – despite a siren being used five years ago for the 75th anniversary.

Councillors were asked by officers if they would agree to mark the 80th anniversary of the Belfast Blitz on April 15th this year, under Covid restrictions, and contribute £1,000 towards the Northern Ireland War Memorial Programme.

The commemoration is part of the council’s “Decade of Centenaries” which will end in March 2022. The council has suspended live events until August 2021 in light of ongoing restrictions due to the pandemic.

Sinn Fein Councillor Ciaran Beattie said: “I appreciate Councillor Pankhurst’s suggestion, but might it not be better to have some sort of symbol of peace?

“Obviously war is a very traumatic time for many, and I think we should try and project a positive message rather than try to remind people of the past.”

He added: “I’m not saying we shouldn’t do this, I am just saying we should look at other suggestions too. I just think an air raid siren going off is a bit alarming for people. If we can be creative around this, and see the city promoted in a positive light, rather than opening ourselves to a bit of criticism.”

DUP Alderman Brian Kingston said: “It is a very significant event in the history of our city – around a thousand people lost their lives. It was a reality for four years that searchlights had to be around, and that there were anti-aircraft guns. We didn’t have enough indeed, and that was one of the reasons Belfast was hit hard when it was attacked.

“It is part of our history, perhaps part of our history that we lost awareness of, and I think that happened with a lot of things during the troubles.”

He added “This is a fitting way, it is not an offensive way to commemorate.”

DUP Councillor Dale Pankhurst said: “I don’t see it as any kind of glorification of war. In fact, a symbol of light going through a dark sky at night is probably one of the best symbols of peace.”

The Chair of the Committee said the Chief Executive confirmed there would be “further investigation into the options” for the commemoration.

The NI War Memorial has said that it will be undertaking the majority of commemoration through virtual means. It has said wreath laying at City and Milltown Cemeteries will take place only if restrictions permit, and with a small number of people in attendance to maintain social distancing. 

In 2016, Belfast Council supported a number of events to mark the 75th anniversary of the Blitz, with the names of those who died scrolled on the big screen in City Hall grounds, along with an air siren sounding. A number of plaques marking significant sites impacted by the Blitz were also erected across the City. 

The council has also applied for a £87,700 National Lottery Heritage Fund for four projects on the centenaries project: a drama and animation programme in mid June 2021, the restoration of the chairs in the council chamber used by the King and Queen during the inauguration of the NI Parliament in 1921, a digitised artefacts and stories project related to 1921, and a time capsule project.