The Bust was made by Alfred Bertram Pegram (1837 -1941)

Pirrie was a leading British shipbuilder and businessman. He was born in 1847 in Quebec Canada to Irish parents returning to Ireland when he was two years old, settling in Conlig County Down. 

Belonging to a prominent family his nephews included J M Andrews who would later become Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and Thomas Andres builder of The RMS Titanic.

Pirrie began his Shipbuilding career as an apprentice at Harland & Wolff in 1862. Twelve years later he was made a partner in the firm. He became Chairman of the company in 1895 a position he was to hold until his death.

Pirrie was elected Lord Mayor of Belfast in 1896 and was elected to the Office and made an Irish Privy Counsellor the next year. 

He was raised to the peerage in 1906 as Baron Pirrie. He was due to travel on the ill fated Titanic’s maiden voyage but illness barred his travel. In 1921 Pirrie was elected to the Northern Ireland Senate and that same year he was created Viscount Pirrie in the honours of the Opening of the new Parliament of Northern Ireland. He died in 1924 aged 77

The Bust was designed by Bertram Pergram and was unveiled following his death in 1924 in City Cemetery Belfast. 

After restoration the bust was rededicated in the grounds of City Hall in 2006, the 159th anniversary of his birth. 

Apart from the dedication set out below the bust has additional panels. 

A Plaque to the rear depicts The Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, a building which William Pirrie was very involved with. A Plaque to the side depicts the SS Venetian - the first ship to be built by Harland & Wolff.  A further Plaque to the other side of the pedestal depicts the R.M.S. Olympic built by Harland & Wolff for White Star Line in 1911.

The Bust has the following dedication to Viscount Pirrie:

In Loving and Most Grateful Memory of My Beloved Husband

William James Pirrie

1st Viscount K.P. P.C. H.M.L

Born 31st May 1847 D9ed 7th June 1924

Only Son Of James Alexander Pirrie and Eliza Swann Montgomery

Married 17th April 1879 Margaret M Carlisle, Daughter of John Carlisle and Margaret M. Carlisle

He entered Queens Island as an apprentice 23rd June 1862. 62 years later on 23rd June 1924 he was laid to rest here. As Chairman of Messrs Harland and Wolff’s vast organisation for so many years he, by his own cheerful service and wide experience proved an inspiration to the many fellow workers identified with him in the evolution of shipbuilding. It was his joy to recognise their Loyalty and allegiance. On all seas the ships that Sail testify to the great benefits his genius conferred on Mankind. He spent his life endeavouring to be useful in his Day and Generation and was  closely associated always with the progress of and Charities in this City”

The dedication by the Royal Victoria Hospital Board reads as follows:

“The Board of Management of the Royal Victoria Hospital, on 18th June, desires to record the profound sorrow with which it has heard of the unexpected death of a kind Pirrie.

The sad tidings when flashed over Sea and Land startled the civilised world for it was everywhere recognised that a cosmopolitan personality had passed off the Stage of Time.

Language fails to express adequately the unique position occupied by the deceased Peer in the Shipbuilding and Commercial life of Mankind.

But the citizens of Belfast, where his mammoth vessels were built, can appreciate, possibly better than most, the genius and capacity of the marvellous brain that now rests from it’s labours but his splendid ideals of craftsmanship are still the envy of those who plan as well as those who go to Sea in Ships.

His own business, however, did not exhaust his manifold energies.

The debt this Hospital owes to Lord and Lady Pirrie is generally recognised. From it’s inception without interruption they had together fostered it’s interests with unremitting care and princely generosity.

The Board realising the great loss it has sustained, and at the same time remembering the grief of the gracious Lady who has for long discharged, with rare efficiency and acceptance, the duties of President of this Hospital would tender her it’s respectful sympathy, accompanied with a Prayer that God will uphold and comfort her until, the Day breaks and the shadows flee away”