German Air Raids: A Mid and East Antrim Perspective

Larne Museum, 8th April 2026 at 7:30pm

At least 37 of the 1941 air fatalities had a connection to Mid Antrim or East Antrim by either birth, residence, marriage, or commemoration.

This talk will highlight a selection of the fatalities and their families and will include people connected to Portglenone, Ballymena town, Clough, Glenarm, Larne town, Glynn, Raloo, Islandmagee, Whitehead, Eden, and Carrickfergus.

The same talk will be delivered in Carrickfergus on 16th April and in Ballymena on 6th May.

#GermanAirRaids85 #BelfastBlitz85

We journey to Hollywood Cemetery today, where we explore the historical events surrounding the German air raids. This graveyard holds the graves of at least six victims from World War 2, offering a poignant look into this period of history. Join us as we reflect on these stories within the cemetery.

The bombing of Belfast by Nazi Germany during Easter 1941, known as the Belfast Blitz, was a tragic series of air raids that brought the devastation of World War II to Northern Ireland. Between April 7 and May 6, 1941, the Luftwaffe launched several attacks on the city, targeting its industrial infrastructure, such as shipyards and munitions factories, which were crucial to the British war effort. The most devastating raid occurred on the night of April 15–16, resulting in significant loss of life and destruction of property. Over 900 people were killed, and thousands were left homeless as residential areas were also hit. The raids exposed the city's lack of adequate air defenses and shelters, leading to increased efforts to protect civilians in the aftermath. The Belfast Blitz remains a poignant reminder of the war's far-reaching impact and the resilience of its survivors.