Inglis Memorial, Belfast City Cemetery, Falls Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT12 6DE

Inglis Memorial, Belfast City Cemetery

An unusual and well-executed Portland limestone memorial dating from around 1911, commemorating the Inglis family. It was created by the renowned sculptor Rosamond Praeger of Holywood and stands in a prime location within Belfast City Cemetery, where it holds group value with other listed structures in the burial ground.

The memorial features two elaborately sculpted plaques on its east elevation depicting a man sowing seed and a woman reaping, set within square-headed arches. These are the work of Praeger, one of the leading sculptors working in Ireland in the early twentieth century. The plain ashlar Portland limestone surround carries a carved inscription from Galatians 6:9 reading 'In due season ye shall rear if ye faint not', with the name 'Inglis' below in raised lettering. The corners are ornamented with elaborately carved vines and leaves supporting a projecting coping stone. Three recessed memorial plaques on the west side bear engraved names. The plot is enclosed by low square limestone walling.

The imagery on the memorial – a man sowing and a woman reaping – was entirely appropriate for marking the burial place of the Inglis family, who made their mark in Belfast as bakers and flour merchants. James Inglis moved to Belfast from Scotland and began the business in 1871 as James Inglis & Co., with retail premises at Castle Street and a factory in Eliza Street. The firm became known for introducing advanced manufacturing techniques to its operations. By the 1890s James Inglis had been joined by his brother George, and the business expanded considerably. Around that time James moved to Dublin, though the firm continued to operate from Belfast as Inglis Ltd.

James Inglis's wife Fanny died in June 1910 and was buried in Belfast City Cemetery. Their eldest son, William Malcolm Inglis, had been interred there following his death in 1905. The memorial was commissioned around 1911 and is considered by scholars to be one of Praeger's undisputed masterpieces. James Inglis himself died on 28 August 1925 at his home in Upper Leeson Street, Dublin, at the age of 88, and was brought north for burial in Belfast City Cemetery. In his will he left £300 to the Royal Victoria Hospital to maintain a bed named 'The James and Fanny Inglis Bed'. The business itself continued for another half century before finally closing in 1977.

Rosamond Praeger (1867–1954), daughter of a Dutch linen merchant who had emigrated to Belfast, was one of the leading sculptors of the early twentieth century in Ireland. Her work can be seen as architectural decoration on churches, public buildings and private houses throughout the country, as well as on numerous memorials including those to Thomas Andrews and Sir Edward Carson and several First World War memorials.