Dedication of Blitz Memorial

Friday March 27th 2009

The Blitz Memorial sculpture.A memorial to those who died in the Belfast Blitz in 1941 is to be dedicated in the city on April 16.

The Northern Ireland War Memorial commissioned the Blitz memorial for its Memorial Hall in Belfast because until now there existed nothing to commemorate those who died in the Blitz on Belfast on Easter Tuesday 1941 and on the two other nights when bombings also took place.

The Blitz was the single greatest tragedy in the history of Belfast.  A thousand people died and hundreds were injured.  In addition to the destruction in the docks, half the housing stock suffered damage, leaving 15,000 people homeless.

The memorial is by the distinguished sculptress, Carolyn Mulholland.  Her large bronze relief has cut-out positive and negative shapes to represent the space left by the death of a person.  An orphan, and a woman who has lost her baby, are portrayed.  The figures stand in a mass of fallen planks, the sharp angular shapes of which represent the shock of destruction.

The memorial will be dedicated on April 16 at 8pm in the NIWM Hall, 21 Talbot Street, Belfast (beside Belfast Cathedral).  An invitation is extended to anyone who experienced the Blitz and to those whose forebears were killed in the Blitz.

NIWMSeating capacity is limited to 80, so it is necessary to apply for tickets.  Applications should be made by letter to Emma Majury, NIWM, 21 Talbot Street, Belfast BT1 2LD or email her at info@niwarmemorial.org.

The dedication will be preceded by a short illustrated talk about the Blitz by Major John Potter.  Light refreshments will be served afterwards.

Further information may be obtained on the NIWM website www.niwarmemorial.org.

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