In the Right Place

This piece of sculpture was commissioned by the Hastings Hotel Group who owned the Slieve Donard Hotel at the time, to mark the centenary of William Percy French in 1920. It stands fittingly in the grounds of the hotel with the Mournes as a backdrop. The lyrics of his most famous song ‘The Mountains of Mourne’ are carved on the sculpture. It was designed by Andrew Todd of Tandem Design in Holywood. Four granite seats surround the piece dedicated to his second wife Helen and their daughters Ettie, Mellie & Joan. There are also some waymarkers to places associated with his life, Ballyjamesduff, Drumcolligher, London, Formby and his birthplace Roscommon.He was also an avid and competent artist. A further talent was his poetry, his shortest being the genial and modest Remember Me: ‘Remember me is all I ask, And yet If the remembrance prove a task,Forget.’