Survey Data
Reg No
40852089
Categories of Special Interest
Historical, Social, Technical
Original Use
Post box
Date
1900 - 1910
Coordinates
187269, 361335
Date Recorded
15/04/2011
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Wall-mounted cast-iron post box, c. 1905, with ' ER VII.' royal cipher and raised crown motif. Raised 'Post Office' lettering to letter flap and foundry name to the base (not read). Set into rubble stone wall to the south-west of Ballyshannon town centre, at main entrance to the former distillery and industrial complex (see record 40852069).
Appraisal
An attractive item of street furniture that represents an early surviving artefact of mass-produced cast-iron ware. Its survival is testament to the quality of its original design and of the materials used in its manufacturing. The modest design of the box is enhanced by the royal cipher (identifying the reign of King Edward VII between 1901 - 10) 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 artefacts. This post box may have been cast by W.T. Allen and Company of London (1881 - 1955), who were responsible for many of the Edward VII-era post boxes in Ireland. This simple piece of street furniture makes a positive contribution to the streetscape to the south-west of Ballyshannon town centre.