The only Liberal Mayor of Belfast, a pioneer food processor magnate, benefactor of many good causes - all aspects of Sir Edward Coey, whose memory was marked with a blue plaque at his home, Merville House in Newtownabbey, where he lived between 1855 and his death in 1887. The project had been initiated by Stephen Hamilton of Melville Residents Association, who had approached the Ulster History Circle, and backed by the Newtownabbey Borough Council.

The unveiling ceremony was unusual, with three participants, representing - Sir Edward's family (in the person of his great great great neice Mrs Mary McBride); Newtownabbey Borough Council (through Councillor Lynn Frazer, Mayor) and Belfast City Council (Councillor Ruth Patterson, Deputy Mayor). Other dignatories present were Councillors Vera McWilliams and Paula Bradley, respectively Chair and Vice Chair of Newtownabbey's Arts and Heritage Committee and Samantha Curry, Heritage Officer.

Also represented at the ceremony was Larne Grammar School, for which Sir Edward had donated the land for its construction and to which he had later made a substantial donation. The school attendees were the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Albert Wilson, the Principal, Mr John Wilson and three senior pupils, Catherine Semple, Ashley Thompson and Adam Young.