World War One: 'Lights Out' vigils held

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City Hall with one light
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One light burned at the front of Belfast City Hall

Lights have been switched off for one hour across Northern Ireland to commemorate the outbreak of World War One.

The memorial, which took place between 22:00 and 23:00 BST on Monday, was inspired by the words of the Foreign Secretary at the time.

Sir Edward Grey said: "The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our life-time".

Nearly 50,000 Irish-born soldiers are known to have died in World War One.

Historians have estimated that more than 200,000 served in the British Army and Navy from 1914 to 1918.

Newtownards RoadImage source, Glenn Jordan
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These people held a candlelit vigil on the Newtownards Road in Belfast - photo by Glenn Jordan

Candles on the front lawn of city hall
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Candles on the front lawn of city hall

Period dress
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Some members of the public attended Lights Out events in period dress

Wreathes were laid during the event
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Wreathes were laid during the event

Peter Robinson and Theresa Villiers
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First Minister Peter Robinson and Secretary of State Theresa Villiers at the event