Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (ABC Council) has issued a tender seeking a qualified artist to create a permanent sculpture commemorating the life and service of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The project, which could cost up to £80,000 to complete, represents a significant memorial initiative that has been in development for over two years since the Queen's death on September 8, 2022.
The memorial project originated from a motion passed by the council in October 2023, which was proposed by TUV Councillor Keith Ratcliffe and supported by 25 councillors, while 15 objected. The sculpture aims to recognize Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years of service as the United Kingdom's longest-reigning monarch and celebrate her exemplary dedication to public service. The motion was seconded by Independent Unionist Alderman Paul Berry, who emphasized that the statue would serve as "a fitting tribute by the people of the borough to the late Monarch."
According to the tender documentation, the sculpture will take the form of a bust and will be located within the Primates Chapel in the Palace Demesne in Armagh. This location holds special significance as it was where Queen Elizabeth II visited in March 1995 to confer city status on Armagh. The council specified that the bust must be "a lifelike representation and be immediately recognizable to interested parties and tourists alike, becoming integrated into the historic fabric of Armagh."
The proposed memorial will be crafted in the medium of the artist's choice and placed on top of a plinth that will include a commemorative plaque with text to be agreed upon with the council. The materials selection will be considered as part of the artist's commission, with the preferred option and final designs requiring approval and sign-off by the council. Given the official nature of the memorial, the council noted that approval from the Cabinet Office may be required for any potential unveiling or inauguration ceremony.
The motion faced opposition from both Sinn Féin and the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). Sinn Féin's John Óg O'Kane criticized the expenditure, stating at the time: "We estimate royal spend in recent years to be in and around £300,000 at a time when this council is trying to make a saving of £5 million, but again we want to build a monument. I think the people in this room need to get a grip of reality and see what is happening outside." SDLP Councillor Thomas O'Hanlon also opposed the motion based on cost concerns and its impact on the council's budget.
However, the project received support from Alliance Councillor Robbie Alexander, who stated that his party would be interested in hearing the results of the report and understanding potential options and costs. He added that it was "absolutely right a meaningful and thoughtful memorial akin to the Queen's contribution be placed within this borough."
An equality screening exercise completed earlier this year described the memorial as "an important decision that will require time, thoughtful planning and design." The screening indicated that a bust was estimated to cost between £60,000 and £80,000, with approximately £20,000 allocated for design and commissioning, and an additional £60,000 for manufacture and installation.
The current tender represents the expression of interest stage for commissioning an artist for the Queen Elizabeth II figurative sculpture. The deadline for receipt of expressions of interest is set for Friday, December 12, 2025. Once an artist is selected and appointed, the expectation is that the sculpture will be completed within a year, with the contract duration estimated at 12 months. The council emphasized that they are seeking an artist capable of creating a high-quality permanent, figurative sculpture that will serve as a lasting tribute to the late monarch's decades of service to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
