War Memorial, Charlemont Square, Bessbrook, Co. Armagh

Polished white marble obelisk style war memorial, erected c. 1934 to designs by Emerson Sculptors Newry (signed). Octagonal-section spire has swags to bottom, shield bearing 1914-18 in relief to front and a moulded draped shroud to top. Moulded panels to square base have applied lead lettering; main inscription to front SE. The names of the 85 men of Bessbrook and the surrounding district who died in the First World War are listed in two columns to the remaining three sides. Main inscription to front faces SE towards Fountain Street and displays: 'To Bear to Succeeding Generations the Names of the Men of Bessbrook and District who Fell in the Great War, And as a Testimony to their Noble Sacrifice. They shall grow not old As we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn. At the going down of the Sun And in the morning We will remember them.' Stepped polished granite plinth below bears ‘1939-1945’ and moulded granite scroll to its front SE records 16 names of those who died during WW2. On the NE side ‘EMERSON, NEWRY’ is signed to the base of the marble section. Setting Monument is enclosed by dwarf walling of dressed granite blocks topped with plain painted metal railings, with some scrollwork panels. Modern painted metal hooks on metal bars surround base of memorial. The memorial is located to the SE end of Charlemont Square; a formally designed square arranged of three sides around a central green.