Luckily the heavy downpours being experienced elsewhere in the country held off in Donaghadee during the ceremony to unveil the blue plaque to Sarah Grand, the novelist and suffragette who had been born there 154 years before. Morris Reid and his wife Sylvia had spent many years in renovating the house and the reception was held in the newly refurbished ballroom.

Doreen Corcoran thanked the Council for its sponsorship of the event and commented on how fitting a memorial it was to Sarah Grand that the house had been restored to its present condition. She congratulated Morris and Sylvia for their dedication and committment to the house and said how pleased the Circle was to be able to erect the plaque on Sarah's birthplace.

Mayor Cllr Jim Fletcher said that he was proud of this interesting and important woman's association with Donaghadee and he was sure that both local people and visitors would be interested in seeing the plaque and finding out more about her. Congratulating Morris and Sylvia Red for their work in retoring the house he observed that it was already over 200 years old when Sarah was born.

Billy Hamilton, Chairman of the Donaghadee Hisorical Society, read an account and appreciation for the life and career of Sarah, from Terry Eakin who was unable to be present.

Here are some photos of the event.