Marker stone on Hilltown Rd, Hilltown, Newry, Co Down, BT34 2JU

This marker stone stands on the north verge of Hilltown Road, near Newry, County Down. It is primarily of local interest and is an example of a marker for the Portadown and Banbridge Waterworks pipeline, which originated at Foffany Dam and was opened in 1909. The stone’s construction date is estimated to be between 1740 and 1759.

The marker is a dressed granite post measuring approximately 30 by 20 centimetres in cross-section, with only 35 centimetres protruding above ground level. It has rounded corners to the top edge. One side, facing south, is finely dressed and inscribed with the letters "PBW" in capital letters, standing 5 centimetres high. This stone is one of several marking the pipeline's route; other similar stones are recorded as Historic Buildings numbers 16/07/048, /062, and /063. It appeared on the 1919 Ordnance Survey 6-inch map. A modern concrete post now stands immediately to the west of the original marker stone. The structure demonstrates industrial archaeological interest.