Knockagh Monument facts for kids

View of the Knockagh Monument, facing north-east.

The Knockagh Monument is a special monument in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It stands tall on Knockagh Hill, looking over the village of Greenisland. From here, you can see amazing views of Belfast city. This monument helps us remember brave people who fought in wars.

What Makes the Knockagh Monument Special?

The plaque on the base of the monument.

The monument is located very high up, about 390 meters (1,230 feet) above the sea. It is the biggest war memorial in all of Northern Ireland.

The monument itself is a tall, pointed stone pillar called an obelisk. It is made from basalt rock and stands about 110 feet (33.5 meters) high. It looks like the Wellington Monument in Phoenix Park, Dublin, but it's exactly half the size.

On the monument, there is a special message. It comes from an old hymn called “O Valiant Hearts.” The message says:

This message honors the courage of those who served.

The History of the Knockagh Monument

Building the Monument

After World War I, also known as the Great War, a group of people wanted to build a monument. They wanted to remember everyone from County Antrim who had died in the war. Mr. Henry Barton, who was a local official, helped lead this effort. They hoped to raise £25,000 to build a basalt obelisk. This obelisk would have bronze panels with the names of the fallen soldiers.

The first stone was laid on October 7, 1922. However, it was hard to get enough money, so the work stopped for about ten years.

Completing and Rededicating the Monument

Mr. Barton passed away in 1935. After that, the local council, Antrim Rural District Council, took over the project. They helped finish the monument, and it was finally completed in 1936.

After World War II, the monument was given a new dedication. It was now meant to honor those who died in both the First and Second World Wars.

The monument has been repaired and cleaned up a few times. It was refurbished in 1985 and again in 2006. The 2006 repairs took three months and cost £50,000. All ten local councils in County Antrim helped pay for the work. On November 5, 2006, the newly repaired monument was officially revealed. It was rededicated in a special ceremony.

The name "Knock-agh" comes from an old Irish word. It means "Hill Place."

See also

In Spanish: Monumento de Knockagh para niños