As far as we know there are no statues in Causeway Coast and Glens dedicated to women and one reader suggested this highly respected and ground-breaking medical practitioner - Dame Anne Louise McIlroy. A professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, she was born at Lavin House, Loughguile, in 1877, the eldest of four daughters of James McIlroy, doctor and JP, and Anna McIlroy (née Hamilton). She was educated in Ballymena and was the first woman to graduate in medicine from Glasgow University, MB, Ch.B. (1898), MD (1900) with commendation, D.Sc. (1910) and LM (Dubl.) (1901). Dame Anne Louise went on to become surgeon in charge (médécin chef) of a mobile hospital in France during WW1. Later, she gained the distinction of becoming the first female medical professor in England, and the first professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at London University (1921–34). The list of her achievements is lengthy to say the least - what a remarkable daughter of the Causeway Coast and Glens area!placeholder image
As far as we know there are no statues in Causeway Coast and Glens dedicated to women and one reader suggested this highly respected and ground-breaking medical practitioner - Dame Anne Louise McIlroy. A professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, she was born at Lavin House, Loughguile, in 1877, the eldest of four daughters of James McIlroy, doctor and JP, and Anna McIlroy (née Hamilton). She was educated in Ballymena and was the first woman to graduate in medicine from Glasgow University, MB, Ch.B. (1898), MD (1900) with commendation, D.Sc. (1910) and LM (Dubl.) (1901). Dame Anne Louise went on to become surgeon in charge (médécin chef) of a mobile hospital in France during WW1. Later, she gained the distinction of becoming the first female medical professor in England, and the first professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at London University (1921–34). The list of her achievements is lengthy to say the least - what a remarkable daughter of the Causeway Coast and Glens area!

Who should have a statue in Causeway Coast and Glens? Here's what you said...

By The Newsroom
Published 20th Nov 2024, 16:55 GMT

Public statues are a time-honoured way of marking the legacy of local heroes.

The Causeway Coast and Glens area already has a number of much-loved statues dedicated to some of our famous sons….but interestingly, none depicting any famous DAUGHTERS of the area (unless you know something we don’t...).

Bushmills has a statue of war hero Rifleman Robert Quigg VC of the Royal Irish Rifles which was unveiled by the late Queen Elizabeth II in June 2016. Quigg was awarded the Victoria Cross medal for bravery at the Battle of the Somme.

Over in Ballymoney, the sporting heroes from the road racing Dunlop dynasty are honoured in a memorial garden which features statues of the late Joey, Robert and William Dunlop.

We wanted to know who you, our readers, thought also deserved to be commemorated with statues. Here’s what you told us...

In 1923 Sam Henry took up the appointment of song editor in the Coleraine newspaper, Northern Constitution. His column opened up an avenue for people to share their songs in Songs of the People a weekly editorial. He managed to collect approximately 690 songs which represented Ireland, Scotland, England and North America. The Causeway Coast area now hosts an annual weekend of music and tuition in his name. One reader wrote: "Sam henry would be my vote for a statue, long overdue."

5. SAM HENRY

In 1923 Sam Henry took up the appointment of song editor in the Coleraine newspaper, Northern Constitution. His column opened up an avenue for people to share their songs in Songs of the People a weekly editorial. He managed to collect approximately 690 songs which represented Ireland, Scotland, England and North America. The Causeway Coast area now hosts an annual weekend of music and tuition in his name. One reader wrote: "Sam henry would be my vote for a statue, long overdue." Photo: CAUSEWAY COAST AND GLENS MUSEUM

The Causeway Coast and Glens area is known the world over for its top class golf courses and one reader has suggested that a north coast golfer be celebrated with a statue - Darren Clarke. A native of Dungannon, Clarke has made his home on the north coast. He was 42 when, in 2011, he became the oldest player to lift the Claret Jug since Roberto de Vicenzo in 1967. A distinguished career, rewarded in 2012 with an OBE, also includes two World Golf Championship wins, the 2000 Andersen-Consulting Match Play seeing him beat Tiger Woods in the final, top-10 finishes in the other three major championships and 14 victories on the DP World Tour, where he is the only player to have had two rounds of 60. After five Ryder Cup caps as a player, four of them bringing wins, he captained Europe at Hazeltine in 2016. He also hit the opening shot on The Open’s return to Northern Ireland in 2019.

6. DARREN CLARKE

The Causeway Coast and Glens area is known the world over for its top class golf courses and one reader has suggested that a north coast golfer be celebrated with a statue - Darren Clarke. A native of Dungannon, Clarke has made his home on the north coast. He was 42 when, in 2011, he became the oldest player to lift the Claret Jug since Roberto de Vicenzo in 1967. A distinguished career, rewarded in 2012 with an OBE, also includes two World Golf Championship wins, the 2000 Andersen-Consulting Match Play seeing him beat Tiger Woods in the final, top-10 finishes in the other three major championships and 14 victories on the DP World Tour, where he is the only player to have had two rounds of 60. After five Ryder Cup caps as a player, four of them bringing wins, he captained Europe at Hazeltine in 2016. He also hit the opening shot on The Open’s return to Northern Ireland in 2019. Photo: NEWS LETTER

Previous
2 / 2
Next Page
Related topics:Causeway CoastElizabeth IIBushmills
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice