The Thompson Memorial Fountain, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, County Antrim

The Thompson Memorial Fountain is a red sandstone pinnacle fountain commemorating Dr Thomas Thompson, located at the junction of Ormeau Avenue and Bedford Street in Belfast city centre. Designed by architects Young & Mackenzie and erected in 1885, it stands as a Grade B1 listed building of considerable artistic and social significance.

The fountain's design was inspired by the Eleanor Crosses of the 13th century. It comprises a central spire rising from a grey granite base with three steps. The spire is topped with an octagonal crocketted crown surmounted by a small finial. The shaft features pointed arch panels with trefoil detail and hood moulds with carved head stops. To either side of the central spire stand crocketted pinnacles and gabled facets, each bearing an ornately carved medallion set within an ogee arch. These medallions are topped with escutcheons bearing a carved wreath and the letter T, with a carved cherub at each apex. The octagonal pedestal is decorated with ogee arch panels and is fitted with a red granite fountain basin to two sides.

The memorial is flanked by iron lamp standards made by McFarlane's of Glasgow. The structure is constructed entirely of red sandstone with red granite basins and inscription panels.

The eastern gable carries a red granite inscription reading: "Erected 1885 in memory of Thomas Thompson M.D of Wellington Park who practised as a physician in Belfast for above 40 years Though dead he yet liveth." The fountain basin is inscribed with words from the Gospel of John (4:14): "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again", referring to the biblical story of Jesus with the woman at the well.

Dr Thomas Thompson was a physician who served at the Home for the Incurables in Belfast and fought in the navy during the Napoleonic wars, during which he gained experience treating soldiers with exotic diseases. Following his naval service, he returned to Belfast where he witnessed the epidemics of the Great Famine and subsequently established the charitable Home for the Incurables. He resided at 83 Donegall Street (now demolished) according to the 1843 Belfast Street Directory, though he later moved to Wellington Park, where he died in 1867. The memorial was erected by his daughter Eliza. The contractor for the work was Robert Corry, who submitted a tender of £280 and was required to complete the work within two months. The fountain was formally opened on 15 April 1885, witnessed by Sir Edward Harland, senior partner of Harland & Wolff Shipyard and Mayor of Belfast.

The fountain no longer functions as an operational water feature. It was formally listed in 1970 and stands within a conservation area. Young & Mackenzie, the architectural partnership responsible for its design, was formed around 1867 and continues in operation. The first appearance of the fountain on Ordnance Survey mapping is on the fourth edition of 1931, though it was constructed much earlier in 1885 and does not appear on earlier revisions or general revaluations of property in Northern Ireland.