Cenotaph, opp 25 William Street, Cookstown, Co Tyrone

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

This is a monolithic granite cenotaph, erected c. 1922, built in memorial of those killed in the 1914-1918 1st World War. It is closely modeled on the Whitehall Cenotaph in London, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. It occupies a prominent location in the centre of the main thoroughfare of William Street.

It is set on a raised plinth and has a cut-granite base with carved cornicing to the first tier.

The second tier is the largest in depth and has four wrought-iron lamps, two to the West and two to the East. There are slate commemorative plaques to the North, East and West. The plaques have splayed stone surrounds. The North is inscribed ‘1939 – 1945’ with a list of names below. The East and West plaques are inscribed ‘IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE MEN FROM COOKSTOWN AND DISTRICTS WHO IN THE GREAT WAR GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR FREEDOM’, and a further list of names below. The south face of the cenotaph is inscribed ‘OUR GLORIOUS DEAD’in raised lettering.

The third tier has a carved stone wreath to the North and South face.

The fourth tier is depicts ‘1914’ to the South, and ‘1918’ to the North in raised lettering.

The fifth upper tier is surmounted bya moulded granite cap.

Setting:
The cenotaph is situated in the centre of the main thoroughfare of William Street. The street largely comprises a mixture of two-storey and three-storey Victorian buildings set within the commercial district of Cookstown.

Historical information

This War Memorial, based on the design by Sir Edwin Lutyens of the Centotaph in Whitehall, was constructed ‘In grateful memory of the men from Cookstown and district who in the great war gave their lives for freedom.’ The actual date of the memorial is not certain; it obviously post-dates the Whitehall Cenotaph, which was erected in its permanent Portland stone form in 1920. It may date from c.1922-24, when many other War Memorials were being erected throughout Northern Ireland.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI VAL/3G/142/1 /1-4 Valuation plan of Cookstown, 1936-37 [4 sheets- The memorial is shown on this plan.]

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

This is a well composed example of a 20th century memorial. Its prominent location within the street thoroughfare emphasize it importance in the social history of Cookstown and Northern Ireland. It is simple and austere in presence, adding a sense of honour for those killed during the 1916 – 1918 troubles. It has been very well-maintained, and adds much interest to the surrounding streetscape.