Marker stone on Bryansford Rd, Hilltown, Newry, Co Down, BT34 5XG

This dressed granite marker post stands on the south verge of Bryansford Road, near Hilltown, Newry. Measuring approximately 30 by 20 centimetres in cross-section, and 40 centimetres above ground level, the post has rounded corners to its top. The face facing the road is finely dressed and bears the inscription “PBW” in capital letters, 5 centimetres high. The post may have been slightly repositioned and is now surrounded by more modern concrete posts to the west.

The stone marks the route of the Portadown and Banbridge Waterworks pipeline, which drew water from Foffany Dam and was opened in 1909. It is one of several similar stones along the pipeline’s route; other examples can be found at HB 16/07/048, 0/61, and /062. The stone was depicted on the 1919 Ordnance Survey 6-inch map. It is considered to be of industrial archaeological interest.