- Knockagh Monument
The Knockagh Monument is a
war memorial inCounty Antrim ,Northern Ireland . It is located on top of Knockagh Hill, above the village ofGreenisland with a panoramic view of the city ofBelfast .Features
The site is 935ft (300m) above sea level [http://www.ulsterwarmemorials.net/html/_county_antrim.html Ulster War Memorials] ] and is the largest war memorial in
Ulster . The monument is a 110ft highbasalt obelisk and is a replica of the Wellington Monument inPhoenix Park ,Dublin , although is exactly half the height.The Monument's inscription was adapted from the hymn “O Valiant Hearts" by John S. Arkwright. It reads:
“NOBLY YOU FOUGHT, YOUR KNIGHTLY VIRTUE PROVED YOUR MEMORY HALLOWED IN THE LAND YOU LOVED.”
History
A committee was set up with Mr Henry Barton, the High Sheriff of County Antrim, as secretary to raise £25,000 to erect an obelisk in local basalt, with bronze panels listing the names of all those from Co. Antrim who had died in the Great War. [http://www.geocities.com/rurmuseum/knockagh.html County Antrim War Memorial at the Knockagh - History] ] The foundation stone was laid on
7 October 1922 , but financial difficulties delayed work for a decade. Following Mr Barton's death in 1935, Antrim Rural District Council were asked to adopt the monument and oversee its completion.. It was eventually completed in 1936.Following the Second World War the memorial was dedicated to the fallen of both wars. It was refurbished in 1985 and again in 2006, taking three months and with all 10 Local Councils in County Antrim contributing £1,500 to the total cost of £50,000 of work, although it is sited on
Carrickfergus Borough Council 's ground. [cite web | title=Councils unite to repair memorial | work=BBC News NI (3 November 2006) | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6111618.stm | accessdate=2008-06-19] On5 November 2006 , the refurbished memorial was unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of County Antrim, Lord O’Neill and rededicated by Rev. Canon E. J. Moore, T.D., M.A.References
External links
* [http://www.ulsterwarmemorials.net/html/_county_antrim.html Ulster War Memorials - Co. Antrim]
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