It has been a feature on 12th May for notable landmarks to be illuminated in blue (the colour designated for ME) in solidarity with all those affected. In 2022 Perth was bathed in blue for the night, 2023 was marked in a similar fashion by landmarks in Glasgow, and last year Inverclyde answered ME Research UK’s call.
This year, the four constituent nations of the UK unite to mark International ME Awareness Day 2025 with Northern Ireland Assembly’s Parliament Buildings, Belfast City Hall, Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Cardiff Castle, and the City of Aberdeen Council’s HQ illuminated in blue in honour of those affected by ME and to raise awareness of the disease.
Northern Ireland, in particular, honours the day by illuminating two of the country’s most significant buildings in blue – Northern Ireland Assembly’s Parliament Buildings at Stormont and Belfast City Hall, seat of Belfast City Council.
The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Parliament Buildings are situated on the Stormont estate east of Belfast. The foundation stone was laid on 19 May 1928 and was opened by Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII and Duke of Windsor), on 16 November 1932. It was originally planned as a large domed building with two subsidiary side buildings in order to house all three branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial, but these were never built. However, the spirit of the oiginal intent is reflected in the plural of the official title of the edifice still used today. It now serves as the seat of the Northern Irish Assembly.
Pending the construction of the new building, the then Parliament of Northern Ireland met in two locations – one being Belfast City Hall.
Situated in Donegall Square, Belfast City Hall is Belfast City Council’s civic building and one of Northern Ireland’s most recognised buildings. In 1888 Queen Victoria granted Belfast the status of the city and it was agreed that a grand and magnificent building was required to reflect this new status. Designed by Alfred Brumwell Thomas in the Baroque Revival style and constructed in Portland stone the imposing incredible building cost £369,000 to complete – the equivalent around £128 million pounds today – and first opened its doors on 1 August 1906. It was and remains an extraordinary beacon of civic pride for Belfast.
