Longford Railway Station

Wall-mounted cast-iron post box, c. 1890, with 'VR' royal cipher and raised crown motif. Raised ‘Post Office’ lettering to letter flap. Set into wall to the north platform of Longford Town Railway Station (13004044) and to the south of Longford Town centre.

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 enliven 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.