This was a gift and tribute to the firm of Coachbuilders formerly operating from this site – Lawsons by name – who were thus rewarded for work they completed on the Irish Royal Coach back in the eighteenth century. The firm continued to operate here into the nineteenth century.

Newry at one time had two Iron Foundries and there are still some storm drain covers that bear testimony – for example, in The Mall, Mill Street and Edward Street. 

The legends “Lucas” and “Newry Foundry” can clearly be read.