Cow Tail Pump, 120A Glen Road, Maghera, BT46 5JG

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Tall, slender cow-tail water pump of c.1923-4, constructed of cast iron.
Slender tubular three-stage shaft below wider, fluted top section.
Middle section of shaft has embossed flag symbol with ‘3m’ embossed below.
Plain cow-tail handle with small bulbous end, attached to curved corbel bracket with bolt at one side and metal pin at other.
Curved spout has a cast bucket bracket.
Pump is topped with a domed, fluted cap with finial, all bolted to the section below.

Materials:
Cast Iron

SETTING
This cow-tailed water pump is located in a semi-rural location, approximately 1.3km from Maghera town centre, off a laneway from Glen Road leading to several houses. The pump is located along the front boundary of No. 120a Glen Road, approached via a set of four concrete steps, leading to a small landing. The landing is bounded by metal railings, erected approximately thirty years ago, replacing the original brick wall.

Historical information

A ‘pump’ is specifically marked on this site on the OS map of 1989, but does not appear to be recorded on any editions prior to this. It is likely, however, that it was in place long before this date and that its installation may be connected with the building of the small development of five nearby dwellings (the present nos.118-126 Glen Road), which the valuation books indicate took place in or shortly before 1924. Local residents have stated that these houses were built ‘for sailors’, and the valuers note that they were leased (initially at least) by the (NI) Ministry of Home Affairs, all of which could indicate that they were constructed for ex-servicemen.

The pump itself, with its slim shaft and fluted cap with finial, is of a design widely used throughout Britain and Ireland during the later 19th and early 20th century, albeit with several differences in terms of finer detailing and decoration. Examples of similar pumps in the Republic of Ireland suggest that some were manufactured by various locally-based founders rather following a similar template, but those - like this example - with the ‘flag’ symbol were produced by the firm of Lee, Howl & Co. of Tipton, Staffordshire, a firm founded in 1887.

References - Primary sources
1 OS maps - 1905, 1927, 1976, 1989
2 PRONI VAL12B/34/29E, 1911-29
3 PRONI VAL12B/34/17G, 1915-29

Secondary sources
4 https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Lee,_Howl_and_Co#cite_note-1 (accessed 5 August 2021)
5 http://irishantiquities.bravehost.com/pumps.html (accessed 5 August 2021)
6 Information from local resident, July 2021

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

R. Age
S. Authenticity
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
Z. Rarity
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

Cow-tailed water pump of c.1923-4 located off a laneway a short distance from Maghera town centre. Its installation may be connected with the building of the present nos.118-126 Glen Road, c.1924. Local residents have stated that these houses were built ‘for sailors’, and they were leased by the (NI) Ministry of Home Affairs suggesting they were constructed for ex-servicemen.

The pump itself, with its slim shaft and fluted cap with finial is of a design widely used throughout Britain and Ireland during the later 19th and early 20th centuries and was manufactured by Lee, Howl & Co. (founded in 1887 in Tipton, Staffs.). However, this particular type is less common in Northern Ireland and is therefore considered a rare example.

Whilst the pump retains much of its original semi-rural setting, this has been compromised by an increased housing density. The loss of the original brick boundary wall detracts from its original historic character. Nevertheless this is a good example of the type and a reminder of the social function which pumps had in rural communities as a gathering place.