Northern Ireland War Memorial

27/08/2026

The Northern Ireland War Memorial will be closed on Monday 31 August 2026 for the bank holiday.

We will reopen on Tuesday 1 September 2026 at 10am.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

26/08/2026

Today is which honours all dogs and the many varied roles they can play from service animals, rescue or police dogs as well as family companions. 🐕‍🦺 Dogs also played a role during the Second World War as mascots of a number of units based in Northern Ireland. One such wartime mascot was Straddle. 🐶

Straddle was born in January 1944 in Castle Archdale- his mother, Whiskey, belonged to Squadron Leader Kent and had a litter of pups to Dinghy, 422 squadron’s mascot, a Canadian Squadron based in Fermanagh. One pup was given as another mascot to the Canadians and named Straddle- a maritime aviation term as planes attacking U-Boats were to ‘Straddle’ their target with depth charges.

Straddle became a bit of a celebrity among the recruits and would often be taken to raise the spirits of injured pilots. He also took to flying in training missions and actual flight operations- clocking up 49 hours 40 minutes (daytime flight) and 7 hours and 5 minutes (nightime flight) by the end of the war as recorded in his own pilots logbook! 🛩️

Straddle was officially promoted in April 1945 to Pilot Officer and ‘mentioned in dogspatches’ in May 1945. By the end of the war he had been awarded the ‘ops’ medial for 18 months service with 422 squadron, the Canadian Volunteer Medal, the 1939-45 Star, Defence Medal and the Atlantic Star. 🏅

Straddle went home with his handler Lloyd Detwiller and received a hero’s welcome to Canada where he lived in Vancouver Island, British Columbia. His logbook is now in the Canadian War Museum while his coat, lead and badge are on display in the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre. Straddle even had a book published in 2012 that chronicles his wartime exploits - Straddle: 'Webfoot War Dog' by John Evans. 🐾

25/08/2026

The Northern Ireland War Memorial will be closed from 12pm-1:30pm on Wednesday 26 August 2026.

We will reopen at 1:30pm to 4:30pm.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

19/08/2026

📣 We want to hear from you! 📣

As part of our museum redevelopment, we’re working with we will thrive to carry out a public consultation with audiences and stakeholders of the museum.

As a result, we are hosting two opportunities to share your views:

🔹 Wednesday 26th August 2026 - 12:00pm-1:30pm 🔹
This is a conversation for people who identify as d/Deaf, disabled or have a long-term health condition. During the session, we’ll explore how museums can be more accessible and welcoming, with a particular focus on the NIWM.

Sign up to participate: https://www.research.net/r/NIWMACCESS

🔹 Thursday 27 August 2026 - 5:30pm-6:30pm 🔹
This is a conversation for people who have visited the NIWM and would like to share their experience.

Sign up to participate: https://www.research.net/r/NIWMGEN

Tea, coffee and snacks will be provided and to thank you for your time each participant will receive a complimentary £20.00 shopping voucher.

19/08/2026

Join us on Saturday 22 August 2026 from 12pm-4pm for as part of 2026.

During the Second World War, many children were evacuated from Belfast to the safety of the countryside. 🚂 This Saturday, families are invited to discover what life was like for children through the games and activities they enjoyed.

Through museum exploration, hands-on play stations and a simple craft activity, discover how children made their own fun using imagination, scraps, rhymes and street games - and how childhood games have changed over time. 🎲🖍️

This is a family-friendly drop-in event. No booking necessary. Free admission. 🎟️

🏛️ Find us at: Northern Ireland War Memorial, 21 Talbot Street, Belfast, BT1 2LD.

18/08/2026

15/08/2026

On 15 August 1945 it was announced that Japan was to surrender and this became known as Victory over Japan (VJ) Day.

The official surrender ceremony was held on 2 September on board the American battleship USS Missouri that was moored in Tokyo Bay.

Celebrations took place across Northern Ireland. This Belfast Telegraph photograph shows soldiers and civilians celebrating in the Garden of Remembrance at Belfast City Hall.

13/08/2026

in 1944, Glenn Miller and his orchestra arrived in Belfast to play a concert at the Plaza ballroom, which had recently been converted into an American Red Cross Club on Chichester Street, Belfast. Miller played a 55 minute set to an audience of almost 1,200.

The ARC club in Belfast provided meals, entertainment and a place to stay for thousands of Americans during their time in Northern Ireland.

For more information on the American Red Cross in Northern Ireland, see Clive Moore’s book, ‘The American Red Cross in Northern Ireland during the Second World War’ published by the NIWM. Copies are available to purchase from the museum or online via Colourpoint for £10: https://colourpointbooks.com/product/the-american-red-cross-in-northern-ireland-during-the-second-world-war-9780992930189/