War memorial

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Granite war memorial of c.1924 by Frank Wiles, situated in front (W) of the former Annesley Hotel (now the ‘Newcastle Centre’). Originally this monument was situated slightly further to the S and was relocated c.1986.

The memorial is the work of sculptor Frank Wiles and is entirely in Mourne granite. It consists of a tall rectangular plinth surmounted by an Art Deco figure of a lion at ease. The names of the fallen of both world wars are inscribed on the sides of the plinth.

Historical information

This memorial was erected c.1925 as a memorial to those from the Newcastle area who fell in the Great War. The figure of the lion was carved by Frank Wiles. The names of the fallen in World War II were later added to the plinth. The memorial was relocated to the north west of Annesley Mansions (the ‘Newcastle Centre’) in c.1986, to make way for the repositioning of what remained of the former bath house, now the entrance façade to the ‘Tropicana' swimming pool.

References- Primary sources
1 PRONI VAL/12E/111/3/1-4 Valuation town plans of Newcastle, 1908-[1935]

Secondary sources
1 P.J. Rankin, 'Historic Buildings, Groups of Buildings, Areas of Architectural Importance in the Mourne Area of South Down', (Belfast UAHS 1975), p.72. [This book erroneously refers to the statue of the lion on this memorial as a sphinx.]
2 John Hewitt, ‘Art in Ulster’ vol.1 (Belfast 1977), pp.114, 118.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

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

Criteria for listing: historic interest

W. Northern Ireland/International Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Granite war memorial of c.1925 consisting of a rectangular plinth surmounted by a lion at ease, carved by Frank Wiles. The memorial was repositioned in c.1986.