A memorial to ‘Honest Dick’

The Dawson Memorial is situated between Cootehill and Rockcorry and dominates the surrounding area due to its great height. It was erected in 1809 by the independent voters of County Monaghan in praise of their local member of parliament Richard Dawson. Richard Dawson voted against the Act of Union and was suspected of radical sympathies during the period of the United Irishmen. He was returned to 5 successive parliaments and was known as ‘Honest Dick’. He lived in the nearby Dartery Estate and died at the age of 44. The design of this column is attributed to James Wyatt (1746–1813) who was one of the 18th century’s most famous architects.