Wilson Memorial

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Relatively simple gothic style gabled stone memorial fountain, erected in 1887 to the memory of local man, Andrew Richard Wilson. The memorial is set within a small walled public space, on the east side of Drones Road, close to the junction with Glenshesk Road.

The memorial is constructed in dressed sandstone and consists of a gable with corner buttresses, moulded coping with ‘double gable’ ends, and a small finial. There are two recesses to the front (W) face. The lower, segmental-headed recess, originally held the fountain, but this has been removed and some dressed stone blocks inserted. The upper recess has a pointed arch head and a moulded reveal. Within it there is a polished granite panel upon which is the inscribed dedication to Wilson- ‘a useful member of society and a kind friend’. The panel is now worn somewhat and some of the letters are unclear. Above this recess, near the apex of the gable, there is a decorative moulded monogram ‘ARW’ (Andrew Richard Wilson) and the date ‘1887 AD’.

Historical information

This memorial was erected in 1887 by the ‘friends and family’ of local man Andrew Richard Wilson, who had died in the previous year. The memorial originally incorporated a fountain which when installed, was the village’s only source of piped water. The fountain was removed some time prior to the First Survey of the memorial in 1972.

References- Primary sources
1 Bassett, George Henry, ‘The Book of County Antrim’ (Dublin, 1888), p.87
2 PRONI VAL/12B/2/1d Annual valuation revision book, Armoy ED (1901-12)
3 PRONI VAL/12E/5/1/1 Valuation plan of Armoy (1906-35)
4 PRONI VAL/3G/3/1/1 Valuation plan of Armoy (1935-56)

Other
references
1 EHS HB05/05/008 First Survey report (26 September 1972)
2 EHS HB05/05/008 Photograph (October 1972)

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Relatively simple gothic style gabled stone memorial, originally incorporating a fountain, erected in 1887 to the memory of local man, Andrew Richard Wilson.