Location: Eadestown, County Kildare, Ireland
The Tickell Monument was erected in 1899 as a communal water supply in honour of Captain Tickell by his County Kildare tenants. Captain Edward James Tickell was a career military man who served with the West India Regiment as Lieutenant in 1885. He was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of services during the operations in the Uganda Protectorate. He also served in the South African War with the Rhodesian Field Force and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1909. After his retirement on 9 February 1914 he became a Justice of the Peace for County Kildare.
The 16 feet high cast iron drinking fountain which is a central focal point in the village was designed by an expert in Gothic detail, John Joseph O’Callaghan, Esq., Architect, F.R.I.A.I. It was cast by Tonge & Taggart, South City Foundry, Dublin. It was introduced as ‘the first fountain of its size and description that has ever been made in Dublin, and it proves that there is no necessity for going to Scotland or elsewhere for stock patterns, when architects can have their original designs carried out as well at home.’
The octagonal plinth and base are made of limestone from the Ballyknocken quarry. A metal plaque contains the legend, Erected in memory of / Captain Tickell / by his Co. Kildare Tenantry 1899. A large trough for cattle supplied overflow water to four basins at ground level for dogs. Seated within the trough is a chamfered base hosting four lion mascarons with stop cocks. Originally four highly ornamental consoles offered cups suspended on chains for the capture of flowing water. Four pilasters support four triangular arches with rosette cartouche. The stamped gabled ‘roof’ terminates in a finial with fleur-de-lis motif.
Images Source:http://irishantiquities.bravehost.com/kildare/tickell/tickell.html
On 6 June 2002, the fountain was registered in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as being of historical and social interest.06/06/2002.
Glossary:
- Cartouche, a structure or figure, often in the shape of an oval shield or oblong scroll, used as an architectural or graphic ornament or to bear a design or inscription.
- Chamfer, a beveled edge
- Console, a decorative bracket support element
- Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
- Mask/Mascaron, a decorative element in the form of a sculpted face or head of a human being or an animal
- Pilaster, a column form that is only ornamental and not supporting a structure
- Plinth, flat base usually projecting, upon which a pedestal, wall or column rests.
- Rosette, a round stylized flower design
Memorial Drinking Fountains 