post box

Cast-iron post box, c. 1890, with 'VR' royal cipher and raised crown motif to head and raised ‘Post Office’ lettering to letter flap. Foundry mark to base, now illegible. Set into modern blockwork pier, adjacent to rural crossroad junction at Gelshagh. Located to the northeast of Ballinalee.

An attractive item of street furniture that represents an early surviving artefact of mass-produced cast-iron ware. The modest design of the box is enhanced by the royal cipher (identifying the reign of Queen Victoria between 1837 - 1901) and the crown motif, which enlivens the appearance of this otherwise functional object. Many pre-independence post boxes were simply painted green and retained their royal insignia but are now becoming an increasingly rare sight and are worthy of retention as historical artifacts. It was probably made by W.T. Allen and Company of London (1881 - 1955), who were responsible for many of the late-Victorian and Edwardian post boxes in North Leinster. This post box is sited at a prominent crossroads, relocated to a modern breeze block pier, and is still in service providing an important amenity for the local community.