Cast Iron Water Pumps

There's a nifty little thing that was once probably the most valued thing in any town or village. 

Ballitore, Kildare.

Unused now they are to be found dotted throughout the country in most areas and they were once a focal point of everyday life..... The old Cast Iron village Water Pump or Hydrant.

Cashel Cross, Laois.

Clonygowan, Offaly.

These little relics of the 1800's are often well cared for and brightly painted. Occasionally some are still functioning but more often than not they are just nice reminders of times gone by.

Laois.

Cadamstown, Offaly.

I often pass them by at times without even noticing they are there but whenever I do take the time to actually take note of them I wonder at just how much effort must have went into making them.

Laois.

Laois.

I don't know a lot about metals but mass produced steel is simply Iron with all the carbon removed and then a very specific percentage of carbon must be reintroduced to produce steel. 

Carlow.

Most of these pumps were made in the days before we were technologically able to produce steel on a large scale. There was Pig Iron, Cast Iron and Wrought Iron available for use.

Aughrim, Galway.

Lea, Portarlington.

The old water pumps are generally made of Cast Iron as far as I'm aware.

Ballaghmore, Laois.

Laois.

Foundries and Iron works sprang up all over Ireland in the 1800's in order to meet demand and produce industrial, agricultural and domestic goods.

Clonbullogue, Offaly.

Laois.

The village pumps predate our modern houshold running water and plumbing systems. 

Rhode, Offaly.

Just imagine that not so long ago you had to go back and fort each day into the village square for a bucket of fresh water if you didn't have a nearby Well or live beside a river or stream.

Cast Iron Water Pump at Pollagh, Offaly.

Below is an unusual water pump which is encased in a wooden surround at Timahoe, Laois.
 

Quite a lot of the old water pumps have the Foundry or Iron Works names embossed on them and a few have various features such as Lions heads or flags etc. etc.

Water Pump at Ratheniska, Laois.

Hopefully these ubiquitous little pumps will continue to brighten up the landscape for years to come and serve to remind me that thankfully, when I need to put the kettle on I don't have to walk into town to refill the bucket of water.............

Old Water Pumps at Bob's Bar in Durrow, Laois. Lots of eclectic history here.

A pump on the Village Green at Freshford, Kilkenny and another in the area. It looks like it was a type of fire hydrant water pump.

Water Pump at Stradbally Laois.

A well maintained Wooden Water Pump at Masslough, Laois.

Wooden and Cast Iron type Water Pumps at Ballinakill, Laois.

Water Pump, Mountmellick, Laois.

Cast iron water Pumps at Shanahoe, Laois.

A bright yellow Water Pump near Abbeyleix, Laois.

And last but not least another at Mountmellick, Laois.

LIMERICK IRON FOUNDARIES 1806-1989 by Patrick McDonnell