Old town well restored for future generations in Ballyhaunis

ONCE a central feature in everyday life in the town, the old town well in Ballyhaunis has been given a new lease of life.

In 2020, Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns undertook the restoration of the well, located adjacent to the former post office in Bridge Street in the centre of the town.

As old as Ballyhaunis itself, the well was the only source of fresh water for centuries until the inauguration of the public supply in 1933. It never failed, summer or winter, to provide water.

In 1971 it was saved from certain destruction by the intervention of local residents, and it was cleaned and maintained for many years by local business man George Delaney (now deceased), who ran a hardware business across the street. However, over the years it had fallen into disrepair and began to look quite derelict and neglected.

Having decided to restore the well, the Tidy Towns group received tremendous support from the community. Delaney’s Hardware - now run by the family of the late George - supplied the materials, such as wall capping, paint, etc., free of charge.

The work on the well was carried out by Rural Social Scheme participants, and financial support was provided by Annagh Magazine Society for the supply and erection of a plaque.

The plaque outlines a brief history of the well and also contains a short poem composed by local poet and historian Michael F. Waldron, BA. LLd. (1949).

A statement from Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns set out the positive impact the project has had locally: 'This restoration project will preserve an important aspect of the heritage of Ballyhaunis, and we are happy that we have made a contribution to ensure the survival of this heritage feature of our town.

'We have received much positive feedback locally, and the goodwill shown by the community at large is impressive. Being involved in this project has given a new focus to our committee, and demonstrates that Tidy Towns is about more than picking litter and planting flowers.

'The old town well now attracts much public comment and commendation. Many people were not aware of its existence before and we feel that many of our younger generation may not be aware that water on tap was a luxury not enjoyed by our ancestors.'