Orr Memorial

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A free-standing Gothic-style three-stage stone memorial fountain, erected c.1880 in memory of Andrew Orr and family. Square-plan ashlar greystone die having chamfered corners and blind pointed-arched recesses to each face, over a rock-faced projecting basecourse. Polished redstone plaques to the east and west arches, with the members of the Orr familiy and a bible verse in white lettering; inverted semi-conical drinking fountains to north and south in similar red stone. Central proportion contains a large polished red-granite column, surrounded by polished grey granite columns, surmounted by foliated capitals rising to gabled pointed-arches. Eight-sided ashlar sandstone spire above, terminated by an ornate metal finial.

Setting
Located on a prominent, elevated site within an urban
setting to the western end of The ‘Diamond’, Coleraine. In conjunction with the Town Hall (HB03/18/001) a short distance to the east, the memorial terminates the vista from Waterside, across the River Bann in the west. The surrounding pedestrianised public square is paved in stone flags and punctuated by furniture such as benches and raised flower beds. Other historic buildings are in close proximity to the monument, including the former Belfast Bank (HB03/18/003) to the south and No.24 (HB03/18/004) to the north-east.

Roof : None
RWG: None
Walling: Ashlar & polished stone
Windows: None

Historical information

The Orr memorial fountain was completed on 11th January 1881 (Derry and Antrim Yearbook 1941) and erected in the Diamond in commemoration of Andrew Orr JP of Millburn and his wife and children. The fountain is first shown, captioned ‘Drinking Fountain’ on the large-scale map of Coleraine dating from 1904. In 2004 the memorial was moved several metres to the west when the area beside the Town Hall was repaved (HB file).

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/5/7/1 First Edition OS Map 1830
2. PRONI OS/6/5/7/2 Second Edition OS map 1849-50
3. PRONI OS/6/5/7/3 Third Edition OS Map 1904
4. PRONI OS/6/5/7/4 Fourth Edition OS Map 1923
5. PRONI OS/6/5/7/5 Fifth Edition OS Map 1949
6. HB file 03/18/002

Secondary Sources

1. Girvan, W D “Historic Buildings, Groups of Buildings, Areas of Architectural Importance in Coleraine and Portstewart” Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1971-2
2. Derry and Antrim yearbook 1941

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
R. Age
S. Authenticity

Evaluation

A free-standing ornately detailed Gothic Revival style memorial stone fountain constructed c.1880 to commemorate Andrew Orr, JP and his family. The fountain is first shown, captioned ‘Drinking Fountain’ on the large-scale map of Coleraine dating from 1904. It is not currently in its original position having been relocated during the refurbishment of the Town Hall and square in 2004. Now located to the western side of the central square in Coleraine, in a prominent axial position with the Town Hall (HB03/18/001), the structure constitutes a key visual focal point and makes an important contribution to the historic fabric of Coleraine.

General comments

Listing Criteria R - Age; S - Authenticity also apply.