Honouring Edmund Murphy
By Moses Alcorn
In the heart of the square stands another beloved landmark, “The Monument,” erected in the 1890s is a memorial to Edmund Murphy, a former land steward of the Ards Estate. The Murphy family resided in what is now Arnolds Hotel, then known as St. Patrick’s.
Dunfanaghy was one of the first villages in Ireland to be lit by gaslight in the early 20th century, and a streetlight was installed atop the monument. However, with the advent of electricity, the gaslight and its surrounding fixtures were removed. Gas streetlights also dotted the town, and the gasworks that powered them was located near the shoreline, close to the current Muck’n’Muffins. After the gasworks closed, the building found new life as a local slaughterhouse.
In recent years, the local Tidy Towns committee refurbished the monument and reinstalled its surrounds. While the monument still commemorates Edmund Murphy, new plaques have been added to honour notable figures from the community who contributed significantly to Dunfanaghy’s history.
The Market House and The Monument continue to be prominent features in historical photographs, such as those from the Lawrence Collection, showcasing their importance to the town’s heritage and its ongoing efforts to preserve its rich history.
