The cow tail roadside pump is an iconic image from a bygone era, when households had to draw water from the local well, writes Martin Branagan.

The majority were cylindrical with handles, the “cow-tail” handle being the most recognisable.

As local water schemes developed, these pumps became part of our landscape in a new way and are now a facet of our social and industrial history.

Many local communities have retained the pumps and use them to showcase their areas, decorating them with flowers and maintaining the paint work. 

In general the pumps have a cylinder-shaped shaft with a spout and handle.

Some of the pumps have decorative caps and others are adorned with raised decorations standing out as beautiful, artistic objects in the countryside.

Our photograph shows a cow tiail pump in leitrim village, sporting the county colours.

Martin Branagan is a co-founder of LeitrimExperience.ie and is passionate about promoting Leitrim as a tourist destination. Under the LoveLeitrim banner, Martin is touring the county in search of its hidden gems.

A Dubliner by birth and Leitrim resident by choice, Martin can be contacted on +353 (0)86 173 8417 for all advertising queries.

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