War Memorial, Church Street, Rathfriland, Newry, Co Down, BT34 5PT

This war memorial stands at the south end of Church Square in Rathfriland, County Down, and forms a key visual element of the area. Built in 1955, it is constructed from dressed Mourne granite blockwork on a two-stage plinth. The memorial takes the form of a tapering granite obelisk. It is enclosed by low, tapering granite posts linked by chains.

The south-facing elevation, overlooking St John’s Church of Ireland, features a polished granite plaque inscribed with the names of those who died in the 1939-45 war. A modern circular metal clock face, featuring gold Roman numerals, is located near the top of the obelisk. The left and right sides are blank except for a small metal access plate at the top, used for the clock mechanism. The north-facing elevation is mirrored, with a plaque dedicated to those who fell in the 1914-18 war, and a matching modern clock face above.

A later addition, a polished granite block inscribed "Erected /1998 / In remembrance of / Those members and ex-members of security forces / from Rathfriland and District / who served in the Northern Ireland conflict / and made the supreme sacrifice / Lest we forget / Dedicated 31st May 1998," has been added to the south face of the plinth. The area around the base is surfaced with asphalt and fitted with four modern spotlights.

The land on which the memorial stands was given to the Royal British Legion by Major Meade, specifically for the erection of a war memorial and a clock. The design is attributed to Major Gordon, and construction was undertaken by Robinson’s of Annalong using pink granite from Clanawillian. The project cost £1,100, funded by public subscription, and the memorial was unveiled on August 10th 1955. An original clock face design, featuring individual applied letters, was in place until at least 1980.