Wilson Memorial

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Free-standing memorial located in a plot to the west of Kilbride Cemetery, to the west of Moyra Road. The Wilson plot, enclosed by coursed rubble walling, has its own entrance from road level with the memorial on an elevated site accessed by steps.

The memorial is two-stage on an ogee moulded plinth. There is an enclosed area to the east with cast iron railings having wing motif and finials.

The west elevation first stage has tapered pilasters to left and right with chamfered corners recessed panels carved into north and south elevation. The infill panel between pilasters is blank on this elevation. The first stage is surmounted by a continuous block cornice, carved above pilasters. The cornice is surmounted to the centre by a stylised Composite order column base, onto which is placed a tapered obelisk. To left and right, the column base is flanked by barrel acroteria with leaf carving on square base; stone urn to top.

The east elevation is as west elevation, with detailing. There are recessed bays to each pilaster and a carved motif to capitals, with 1868 carved to the centre. The infill panel is inset with a polished granite memorial stone flanked by red granite square pilasters with composite entablature, supporting a round-arched-headed archivolt with keystone and chevron carving to soffit.

Roof N/A
Walling Granite
Windows N/A
Rainwater goods N/A

Historical information

The stone is a memorial to a John A. Wilson of the Wilson family who were later to found the Ormeau Bakery in 1890. The Memorial reads:

'John A Wilson
Born at Ballybracken 12th October 1832
Accidentally drowned in Belfast Lough
13th July 1868
An upright and honest merchant whose public, social and private conduct commanded respect and esteem of all who knew him. His friends and fellow citizens who admired his worth and deeply mourn his early death have raised this monument to record their sorrow and perpetuate his memory.'

The First Townland Valuation (Maps 1834, and Fieldbook 1836) does not record the Wilson Memorial, nor does the name Wilson appear in the descriptions of lots for Kilbride. However a graveyard and a vault are shown on the map. The Griffiths Valuation Fieldbook notes the site is under the ownership of the Marquis of Donegall, while the Griffiths Map from 1857 shows a Presbyterian House on the site.

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI VAL/1/A/45-Townland Valuation Map (1834)
2. PRONI VAL/1/B/17A-Townland Valuation Fieldbook (1836)
3. PRONI VAL/2/A/1/45A-Griffiths Valuation Map (1857)
4. PRONI VAL/2/B/1/7A -Griffiths Valuation Book (1856)

Secondary Sources

1. Bailie, R. E. 'Kilbride Presbyterian Church: 150 years of worship', 1998

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

A substantial granite obelisk on a prominent elevated site in the village of Kilbride, this memorial is in pristine condition, set within the Wilson family plot. The memorial is well carved and detailed in a stylistic manner. The detailing is typical of the ornate Victorian work of this era. However, memorials such as this are not suitable subjects for listing.