Wilson Memorial, Kilbride Cemetery, Moyra Road, Kilbride, Doagh, Co Antrim

Wilson Memorial

A substantial granite obelisk stands on a prominent elevated site within the village of Kilbride, located in a plot to the west of Kilbride Cemetery, west of Moyra Road. The memorial is in pristine condition and well carved with detailed ornamentation typical of ornate Victorian work of the period.

The Wilson plot is enclosed by coursed rubble walling and has its own entrance from road level, with the memorial itself accessed by steps on the elevated site. The memorial is two-stage, mounted on an ogee moulded plinth. An enclosed area to the east features cast iron railings with wing motifs and finials.

The first stage comprises tapered pilasters to left and right with chamfered corners and recessed panels carved into the north and south elevations. The west elevation has a blank infill panel between the pilasters. The first stage is surmounted by a continuous block cornice, carved above the pilasters. The cornice is crowned at the centre by a stylised Composite order column base, onto which is placed a tapered obelisk. To left and right of the column base are barrel acroteria with leaf carving on square bases; stone urns sit atop these. The east elevation mirrors the west elevation in its detailing. It features recessed bays to each pilaster and carved motifs to the capitals, with the date 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 the soffit.

The monument commemorates John A. Wilson, who was born at Ballybracken on 12th October 1832 and was accidentally drowned in Belfast Lough on 13th July 1868. The inscription describes him as "an upright and honest merchant whose public, social and private conduct commanded respect and esteem of all who knew him." The memorial was erected by his friends and fellow citizens. The Wilson family later founded the Ormeau Bakery in 1890. The First Townland Valuation records from 1834 and 1836 do not record the Wilson Memorial or the Wilson family name in Kilbride, though they note the existence of a graveyard and vault. The Griffiths Valuation from 1857 shows the site under the ownership of the Marquis of Donegall, with a Presbyterian House recorded on the map.