Pettigo Pillar Fountain

Location: Pettigo, County Donegal, Ireland

Common to most Irish towns this model was manufactured by Glenfield and Kennedy of Kilmarnock. Found to be in disrepair in 2019, local man Gary Britton was motivated to establish a ‘Go Fund Me’ page to restore this historic drinking fountain on Mill Street originally installed in the late 19^th century. The goal was quickly attained by public subscriptions.

Following permission from Donegal County Council for the removal of the structure, the missing dome and finial was located by Michael Boyle, and a replacement octagonal rim knob was purchased from Ironmongery World. The fountain was coated with a rust convertor prior to spraying the finished coat.

Images captured from https://imgur.com/a/bUEdh53?fbclid=IwAR2teUZDghfnXhr92PlMJfzi1wNzJF0TvBLhIn7Pp6RvhB9uzjWMf8EwMBA

This late 19th century design was advertised as Kennedy’s patent, self-closing, anti-freezing pillar fountain. It consists of a fluted cast iron cylindrical column with moulded domed cap and small finial resembling a pineapple.

Water drawn from a well by a wind pump and delivered by gravity from a reservoir, was distributed via a lion mascaron spout and captured in a tin cup suspended on a chain from the domed top.

Glossary:

• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Fluted, a long rounded groove
• Mascaron, a decorative element in the form of a sculpted face or head of a human being or an animal

Lion’s Head Well

Location: North Queensferry, Fife, Scotland

The North Queensferry Heritage Trail offers several examples of different types of wells which welcomed pilgrims to North Queensferry after their arduous journey across the River Forth. The valued and scarce water source was supplied to the village from the Glensherup Reservoir from springs originating in the Ochil hills.

The cast iron drinking fountain located at the intersection of Ferryhill Road and Main Street is known as the Lion’s Head Well and was installed circa 1883 to “raise the walls and put a lock on the well” according to records of the local Sailor’s Society. A cast iron door inserted into the stone wall behind the fountain may have been access to the original well circa 1822. Two bas-relief vignettes display the struggling figures of a foreign sailor and a local woman attempting to protect the town’s meagre water supply.

The figure of Europa seated on a bull is also presented. Europa who was the granddaughter of Poseidon was abducted into the sea by the god Zeus disguised as a bull. According to Greek Myth, her brother Cadmus undertook the search for Europa, but after consultation with the Oracle of Delphi he was instructed to abandon the search and instead follow a cow and establish a city upon the spot where it lay down. This is the legend of the foundation of the Greek city of Thebes. Cadmus and his companions then brought water for their new settlement from a nearby fountain.

Designed and manufactured by Glenfield & Kennedy Ltd. this late 19th century fountain design was advertised as Kennedy’s patent, self-closing, anti-freezing pillar fountain. It consists of a fluted cast iron cylindrical column with moulded domed cap and small finial resembling a pineapple which is a symbol of hospitality.

Water was drawn from a well by a wind pump and delivered by gravity from a reservoir. The water which was released by turning a decorative knob was located directly above a lion mascaron spout. It was captured in a tin cup suspended on a chain from the domed top. A small demi-lune trough at ground level captured overflow water for the use of dogs. Some models used a lever on the side to release the water and had an integral bucket platform located just above the base of the column.

Source: https://glasgowgallivanter.com/2019/05/27/north-queensferry-dalgety-bay/

Glossary:

• Demi-lune, half moon or crescent shape
• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Fluted, a long rounded groove
• Mascaron, a decorative element in the form of a sculpted face or head of a human being or an animal

Ram’s Head Drinking Fountain

Location: Stirling, Scotland

Four small pillar type drinking fountains located around the perimeter of King’s Park were restored in 2009 by Ballantine’s Iron Company at Bo’ness with a grant from Sterling City Heritage Trust and additional funding from Stirling Council Common Good Fund.

The fountains are located at the corner of Albert Place and at the side gate entrance to the park on Queen’s Road where a heritage interpretation panel explains the historic importance of the wells. The remaining two fountains are on Park Avenue (the example at the southern end of the Avenue was previously located on King’s Park Road).

These four drinking fountains were designed and manufactured by Glenfield & Kennedy Ltd. This late 19th century design was advertised as Kennedy’s patent, self-closing, anti-freezing pillar fountain. It consists of a fluted cast iron cylindrical column with moulded domed cap and small finial resembling a pineapple.

Water was drawn from a well by a wind pump and delivered by gravity from a reservoir. The water which was released by turning a decorative knob was located directly above a mascaron spout. It was captured in a tin cup suspended on a chain from the domed top. A small demi-lune trough at ground level captured overflow water for the use of dogs. Some models used a lever on the side to release the water and had an integral bucket platform located just above the base of the column. The fountains are stamped, Glenfield Coy Limited Kilmarnock.

The mascaron from which the water spouted was more commonly the head of a lion. However, the fountains at Albert Place and Queen’s Road sport ram’s heads. The example at the Queen’s Road park entrance is a category C listed Historic building. These fountains ceased to be operational after the 1980 Water (Scotland) Act.

Park Avenue. Creative Commons License, Lairich Rig. Source: https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6286713

Park Avenue. Creative Commons License, Lairich Rig. Source: https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6286713

Victoria Place. Creative Commons License, Lairich Rig. Source: https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6286713

Queen’s Avenue. Source: https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC1WYX5_the-drinking-fountain?guid=513ad4d4-dd50-47ce-b9dc-5fc0709055a0

An additional example of the ram’s head model is located at Carradale on the east side of Kintyre, Scotland.

Used with permission, John P. Bolton, Scottish Ironwork Foundation

Glossary:

• Demi-lune, half moon or crescent shape
• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Fluted, a long rounded groove
• Mascaron, a decorative element in the form of a sculpted face or head of a human being or an animal

Lion Mascaron Pillar Fountains

Designed and manufactured by Glenfield & Kennedy Ltd. this late 19th century design was advertised as Kennedy’s patent, self-closing, anti-freezing pillar fountain. It consists of a fluted cast iron cylindrical column with moulded domed cap and small finial resembling a pineapple.

Water was drawn from a well by a wind pump and delivered by gravity from a reservoir. The water which was released by turning a decorative knob was located directly above a lion mascaron spout. It was captured in a tin cup suspended on a chain from the domed top. A small demi-lune trough at ground level captured overflow water for the use of dogs. Some models used a lever on the side to release the water and had an integral bucket platform located just above the base of the column.

Clifton-on-Teme, Hereford & Worcester, England. Manufacturer’s stamp on the base, Glenfield Coy Ltd.

Source: Scottish Ironwork Foundation. Photo by John P. Bolton

Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. The instruction, Turn the Handle is redundant as the handle is missing. A legend beneath the lion mascaron states, Waste Not Want Not.

Ticknall, South Derbyshire, England. Located east of Hayes Farmhouse. It was erected 1914 at the behest of Sir Vauncey Harpur-Crewe of Calke Abbey. Bucket platform & lever are visible.

Washinborough, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England. Located on the High Street this model contains an integral bucket platform. The manufacturer’s stamp is located beneath the lion mascaron, Glenfield & Kennedy Co. Kilmarnock.

Source: Flickr/Alan Saxman

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. Manufacturer’s name is visible on the rear.

Source: Scottish Ironwork Foundation. Photo by R Williams

Kelso, Scottish Borders, Scotland. Currently located at Ednam House Hotel.

Source: Scottish Ironwork Foundation. Photo by John P. Bolton

Kilmun, Argyll & Bute, Scotland. Located within the church graveyard it is a unique example with the original cup and chain. A spigot projects from the lion’s mouth.

Source: Scottish Ironwork Foundation. Photo by John P. Bolton

Midlem, Scottish Borders, Scotland. 

Source: Scottish Ironwork Foundation. Photo by John P. Bolton

Peebles, Scottish Borders, Scotland. 

Source: Scottish Ironwork Foundation. Photo by John P. Bolton

Stirling, Scotland. Dog trough at base. The manufacturer’s name is located on the column within the trough.

Source: Scottish Ironwork Foundation. Photo by John P. Bolton

Stromness, Orkney Islands, Scotland. This model contains an integral bucket platform and a modern tap.

Source: Scottish Ironwork Foundation. Photo by John P. Bolton

Moniaive, Dumfries& Galloway, Scotland. Located at the base of steps leading to a gated entrance to Glencairn Church Graveyard. Painted white with a lever on the side.

Source: Scottish Ironwork Foundation. Photo by John P. Bolton

Killala, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Located at Seaview Terrace, the manufacturer’s stamp is visible beneath the lion mascaron, Glenfield & Kennedy Co. Kilmarnock

Source: Flickr/JohnnyG

Glossary:

• Demi-lune, half moon or crescent shape
• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Fluted, a long rounded groove
• Mascaron, a decorative element in the form of a sculpted face or head of a human being or an animal