milestone/milepost

Cast-iron milepost (on circular-plan), erected c. 1880, having domed cap with projecting lip to base. Raised\embossed inscription to its east side reading ‘L.DERRY 10 MILES, BUNCRANA 0 MILES. Located to the west side of the R238 road leading to Derry. Located on footpath outside of modern hotel to the south-west of the centre of Buncrana.

This cast-iron milepost makes an attractive, if subtle, historical impression in the streetscape to the south-west of the centre of Buncrana. It probably originally dates to the second half of the nineteenth century, and it is of same appearance and style as milepost sat Fahan (see 40820018) to the south and Clonmany (see 40804005) to the north, suggesting that they were erected at the same time as part of a road construction or widening project. The example at Clonmany is dated 1880. The raised lettering and domed cap with protruding lip to base adds some decorative interest, indicating the importance of aesthetics as well as function. It may have been originally erected by the Board of Works. This simple item of street furniture acts as a subtle historical reminder of the expansion of the road network in Ireland during the second half of the nineteenth century, and it is an integral element of the built heritage of the local area. It may have been moved from a site very close to its present location in recent years.