Vandalised Laois village pump to be restored
The village pump in Ballinakill before it was vandalised. File photo
A BEAUTIFUL village water pump that sadly suffered vandalism is to be restored by Laois County Council.
The timber water pump on Chapel Street, once a focal point of everyday life, has been described by the county’s heritage officer as ‘an integral part of local cultural heritage’.
At the January meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, Cllr John Joe Fennelly asked the county council’s heritage office to reinstate the pump, which was vandalised in 2023.
Cllr Fennelly said that Ballinakill residents wanted the work to be done, particularly a lady named Diane who planted flowers around the pump for many years and looked after the site exceptionally well.
He said: “This lady told me that she would love to see it back in place and it should be reinstated. I expect that the heritage office should be able to do this work.”
In a written response, heritage officer Thomas Carolan said: ‘Laois Heritage Office fully supports the restoration and reinstatement of the pump at Chapel Street, Ballinakill, which is an integral part of local cultural heritage.’
Mr Carolan added that he would contact suitable professionals to undertake the restoration work. After quotations were received, funding for the project could be discussed with the area office.
While he welcomed the positive response, Cllr Fennelly said he was concerned that disagreements over the source of funding would lead to further delays. He would be worried that, if the heritage office did not have the funding required, the matter would come back before a council meeting and he would be asked to use his own councillor’s discretionary funding to pay for the project.
Cllr Fennelly said: “It's a fairly simple job. There is an original pump in Ballinakill, so it is just a matter of getting the specifications.”
His proposal that the village pump be restored and reinstated was supported by Cllr Barry Walsh, who said: “This pump is a part of the cultural heritage of the area and it would be a shame to not have it fixed.”
Estimates for the restoration work are expected to be brought before a future council meeting.
