DDiscover AloneMapAbout

Water pump in Rathwire Lower

Water pump
Water pump in Rathwire Lower
Photo: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage · Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Freestanding cast-iron water pump, erected c.1885, comprising banded cylindrical shaft with fluted head having fluted spout, ‘cow tail’ curvilinear handle, and with a fluted ogee-dome cap with finial over. Set in rubble limestone enclosure, open to road to the north, with cut stone slab to the front (north) with a…

Read the whole record
Freestanding cast-iron water pump, erected c.1885, comprising banded cylindrical shaft with fluted head having fluted spout, ‘cow tail’ curvilinear handle, and with a fluted ogee-dome cap with finial over. Set in rubble limestone enclosure, open to road to the north, with cut stone slab to the front (north) with a carved drainage groove. Located adjacent to road junction at the west end of main street running through Rathwire village.
A typical late nineteenth-century cast-iron water pump, of a standard design encountered throughout rural Westmeath. Water pumps played an important social role in the late nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries by providing a communal water source before the development of mains water supply. This cast-iron pump now serves as an attractive piece of street furniture, aesthetically enhancing the streetscape to the west end of Rathwire village. This water pump is located adjacent to a road junction, a common site for water pumps.

From the Buildings of Ireland (National Inventory of Architectural Heritage) record 15312025

This does not grant access. Most recorded buildings are privately owned; view them only from public ground unless the owner allows entry.

What do you know about this place?Tap to add a comment or ask a question

What you write will be public.

Places near here

Photo credits
  • National Inventory of Architectural Heritage
  • EecherplazGinkgo06.jpg : Cayambe derivative work: Ginkgotree ( talk ), Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Kieran Campbell, Geograph · Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0
  • Dylan Moore, Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • MookiePlays, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Andreas F. Borchert, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Eric Jones, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Robin Pollard, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
  • Malene Thyssen, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
gates/railings/walls281 ydSaint Joseph's Catholic ChurchChurch/chapel · 357 ydThe RectoryRectory/glebe/vicarage/curate's house · 358 ydThe ManseManse · 371 ydGinkgo4.4 miFairy fort / earthen ringfort in ReynellaFairy fort / earthen ringfort · 4.5 mi

Explorer Tom Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Reynella thinks the local sheep are just overgrown dogs that haven’t learned to bark yet. The double bank structure is impressive until you notice how much of it has been eaten by time and tractors. Linger, it's not going anywhere and neither should you.

Bawn in RattinBawn · 4.6 mi

Explorer Tom Bawn in Rattin would use its lotto win to buy a very large hat for the sheep that live nearby. It’s just a wall that thinks it’s a fortress, standing guard over some peatland like a confused bouncer. Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.

Rattin CastleCastle, tower house · 4.6 mi

Explorer Tom Rattin Castle hosted a love story where two people fell in love but couldn't agree on whose turn it was to chop wood. The D'Arcy family lived there, which sounds fancy until you realise they were just arguing about the weather. Ideal stop for a big stretch and a bigger yawn.

Font (present location) in TowlaghtFont (present location) · 6.6 mi

Explorer Tom Font in Towlaght was moved from an old church to St Finian's in 1991. It’s carved with biblical scenes and looks like it has seen better days. It's free, it's odd, what more do you want?

Delvin CastleVisitor attraction · 7.4 miCroppies' GraveMemorial · 7.7 miEuropean Beech8.9 mi

Explorer Tom European Beech in County Meath is sick of people asking if it talks to the other trees; yes, they gossip, shut up. It’s got that tired look of someone who’s heard every question before. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

More historic places in County Westmeath · All of County Westmeath

Add to this placeAdd a picture Add a detailed tip Add a story

Explore the map1,093,392 places to discover

Next place · or swipegates/railings/walls