Kilkenny town given major boost as piece of local heritage is restored!

Little trinkets of Castlecomer heritage have been restored at Skehana and Cross Hill. The pumps are now back to their former glory thanks primarily to Asgatech GBS, and also to Kilkenny County Council local staff.

The pump at Skehana, Castlecomer first operated in the early 1960s supplied from a spring underneath and was widely used before Kilkenny County Council extended the supply to rural areas.

Two tradesmen from Skehana Dan Dunne and Ter Dunne expertly thatched all the pumps in the area with straw before applying binding which ensured a continuous supply even in frosty conditions. Cool, clear water with no chlorine was extensively used and transported by buckets or pails or churns to both residential and agricultural premises by hand or through car men.

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The earliest mention of this pump at Cross Hill, Castlecomer dates back to June 14, 1915 at a meeting of Castlecomer Rural District. To maintain Castlecomer Fountain, Nanny’s Well, Buck’s Well and Crosshill Pumps a tender was received from John Carroll who had a forge at the top of Barrack Street / Love Lane at a sum of fifteen pounds. The Carrolls would be ancestors of the Carroll family Donaguile.

Members of the District Council present were PJ Fogarty (Chairman), Mrs FP Wandesforde, Mrs AM Laracey, Messrs M Maher JP, J Costigan, M O’Brennan, J Somers, EJ Hogan, E Brennan, J Kenny, M Doheny, P Butler, M Condron, P Comerford, D Brennan, M Brennan.