This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29680091
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Ian Paisley: Memorial service for former first minister | Ian Paisley: Memorial service for former first minister |
(35 minutes later) | |
A memorial service for Northern Ireland's former first minister Ian Paisley is taking place in Belfast. | |
Mr Paisley, the founder of the Democratic Unionist Party, died on 12 September at the age of 88. | Mr Paisley, the founder of the Democratic Unionist Party, died on 12 September at the age of 88. |
His widow, Eileen, and his family have been joined by guests at a special service at the Ulster Hall on Sunday. | |
Among the guests are Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness and Secretary of State Theresa Villiers. | |
Also attending are former Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond. | |
More than 860 people accepted invitations for the service including relatives, friends and both nationalist and unionist politicians. | |
Mr Paisley was buried following a private service at his family home in east Belfast in September. | Mr Paisley was buried following a private service at his family home in east Belfast in September. |
At the time, his family said there would be a memorial service so that the public could pay their respects. | At the time, his family said there would be a memorial service so that the public could pay their respects. |
He was one of the best-known, most controversial and longest-serving figures in British politics. | He was one of the best-known, most controversial and longest-serving figures in British politics. |
He was a preacher who founded his own church and later his own political party. | He was a preacher who founded his own church and later his own political party. |
The hard-line unionist leader was famous for his opposition to Irish republicanism and any involvement of the Republic of Ireland in Northern Ireland's affairs. | The hard-line unionist leader was famous for his opposition to Irish republicanism and any involvement of the Republic of Ireland in Northern Ireland's affairs. |
In 2007, after decades of opposing power-sharing agreements, he entered government with his former enemies, Sinn Féin. | In 2007, after decades of opposing power-sharing agreements, he entered government with his former enemies, Sinn Féin. |
The Paisley family said that attendance at the event was by invitation only "due to the overwhelming numbers of those wishing to attend". | The Paisley family said that attendance at the event was by invitation only "due to the overwhelming numbers of those wishing to attend". |
Ian Paisley's memorial service is being broadcast live on BBC Two Northern Ireland from 14:50 BST, Radio Ulster from 14:45 BST and is being streamed on the BBC news website. | Ian Paisley's memorial service is being broadcast live on BBC Two Northern Ireland from 14:50 BST, Radio Ulster from 14:45 BST and is being streamed on the BBC news website. |