Historic Laois water pump to be restored and renamed
The Waterpump in Ballinakill
A BRIGHT blue water pump, which has been a fixture of Chapel Street, Ballinakill for decades is set for restoration in 2026.
The water pump was severely vandalised in 2023, but now money has been secured for its restoration by no later than the end of the second quarter in 2026.
At a recent meeting of Portlaoise municipal district, a representative of Laois Co Council confirmed that "a heritage officer has investigated the appropriate conservation approach for the water pump in Ballinakill and has communicated this to the local community officer. The heritage officer will liaise with the stakeholders to support the restoration, with a view to it being completed by quarter two of 2026."
Cllr John Joe Fennelly, who has been pushing the move for a number of years, praised the council’s decision and gave particular note to the recently-passed Diane Barry, a lady who had lived near the pump for many years and who had lovingly cleaned and tended it, even going so far as to plant and maintain flowers around it all year round. "But I'm glad now to see that it will be completed in quarter two and, maybe, a plaque can be placed on it then in memory of a lady who looked after this pump for so many years."
The chair agreed that Diane needed "to be honoured in the location."
