post box

Wall-mounted cast-iron post box, c. 1890, with 'VR' royal cipher and raised crown motif. Raised ‘Post Office’ lettering to letter flap. ‘W.T Allen and Company’ foundry mark to base. ‘SE’ insignia and harp motif to door, c. 1930. Set into rendered gate pier at entrance to house (not in survey). Located along road in the rural landscape to the east of Drumlish, just to the north of road T-junction.

The modest design of this post box is enhanced by the various raised elements, which enliven the appearance of this otherwise functional object. This post box contains an interesting combination of the original British and later Irish symbols, marking the period when the State established its own postal system and representing a subtle form of cultural reclamation. The ‘VR’ cipher and the raised crown motif identifies the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 and 1901), while a new door with the 'SE' and harp symbols was added sometime between 1922 and 1937, after which the P&T cipher became the norm on Irish post boxes. This post box was originally made by W.T. Allen and Company of London (1881 - 1955), who were responsible for many of the late-Victorian and Edwardian post boxes in North Leinster.