'Cairn of Peace'

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Rusticated pillar, erected in (or just after) 1959 as a monument to the World Ploughing Championships, which were held in Northern Ireland for the first time in that year (on the neighbouring farm). The monument is located within a walled enclosure by the roadside, a few metres northeast of the gates to Limepark house, less than a mile south of the village of Armoy.

The monument consists of a robust looking pillar of rusticated stone laid in courses, with battered sides on a polygonal plan and topped with a gold painted iron model of a plough, which isa replica of the actual trophy. On the ‘front’ (SE) facet of the pillar there is a polished granite plaque which is inscribed ‘World Ploughing Organisation This cairn of local and overseas stone and the model of the Golden Plough commemorate the 7th World Ploughing Contest held here 8th and 9th October 1959 “Pax arva colat” [‘Let peace follow the plough’]’. Above this, a row of various rectangular stones is set into one of the courses, each stone representing a nation which [presumably] took part in the contest (Sweden, USA, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Finland, Great Britain, Germany, Holland, Italy and Norway).

Historical information

This pillar was erected as a monument to the (7th) World Ploughing Championships, held in Northern Ireland for the first time from 8th to 9th October 1959. It has become popularly known as the ‘Cairn of Peace’.

The Championship was actually won by Northern Ireland man, Lawrence McMillen, with Charles Bonney of Canada the runner-up.

References- Primary sources
1 Linen Hall Library ‘Belfast News-Letter’ 10th October 1959

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Rusticated pillar, erected in [?or just after] 1959 as a monument to the World Ploughing Championships, which were held in Northern Ireland for the first time in that year (on the neighbouring farm).