Post Box Archives - EXCELLENT STREET IMAGES

THIS ONE DATES BACK TO THE 1850s

A great many old post boxes remain in use today and they bring an elegance to their localities that is often much appreciated.

While there’s some debate, here’s what I know about the contenders for Ireland’s oldest letterbox:

The Penfold Hexagonal Post Box, New Ross: Located in County Wexford, this hexagonal cast-iron pillar box dates from around 1866. Its unique design makes it a distinctive landmark.

The Ashworth Box now housed in the National Museum at Collins Barracks, dates back to the 1850s. While not currently in active use, it’s likely the oldest surviving letterbox in Ireland.

I am unable to obtain much relevant information relating to the Ashworth Postbox but I have come some descriptions that described it as wall mounted but that cannot be true unless there was version different to what is shown in my photographs.

Beneath the grand facade of the Royal Hotel on North Street in New Ross stands a rare type of post box. While often called the ‘Penfold Hexagonal’, this post box was designed by John Wormham Penfold (1828-1909) as the ‘New Standard Letter Box’. Its design might have been inspired by earlier octagonal post boxes commissioned in 1852. Manufactured by Cochrane Grove and Company of Dudley, production began in 1866. These boxes were uncommon in both Ireland and Britain.

The hexagonal-sided Penfold, caused complaints when it was introduced as letters could occasionally get stuck at the edges. The classic cylindrical shape did away with these problems, however.

Important Notes:

Red Paint: Many of Ireland’s oldest surviving post boxes were originally painted green but were later painted the iconic British ‘pillarbox red’. Some still retain traces of green paint underneath. Ireland adopted its own green for postboxes after independence.

Dating: Precisely dating old letterboxes is tricky. Often, only manufacturing dates can be confirmed, not the exact year of installation.

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN VISIT THE SAINT HERE IN DUBLIN

Throughout the centuries since Valentine received martyrdom there have been various basilicas, churches and monasteries built over the site of his grave. Therefore, over the years, many restorations and reconstructions took place at the site. In the early 1800’s, such work was taking place and the remains of Valentine were discovered along with a small vessel tinged with his blood and some other artefacts.

In 1835 an Irish Carmelite by the name of John Spratt was visiting Rome. Apparently his fame as a preacher had gone before him, no doubt brought by some Jesuits who had been in Dublin. The elite of Rome flocked to hear him and he received many tokens of esteem from the doyens of the Church. One such token came from Pope Gregory XVI (1831-1846) and were the remains of Saint Valentine.

On November 10, 1836, the Reliquary containing the remains arrived in Dublin and were brought in solemn procession to Whitefriar Street Church where they were received by Archbishop Murray of Dublin. With the death of Fr Spratt interest in the relics died away and they went into storage. During a major renovation in the church in the 1950s/60s they were returned to prominence with an altar and shrine being constructed to house them and enable them to be venerated. The statue was carved by Irene Broe and depicts the saint in the red vestments of a martyr and holding a crocus in his hand. Hand-painted replicas of this statue are available in our Church Shop.

Today, the Shrine is visited throughout the year by couples who come to pray to Valentine and to ask him to watch over them in their lives together. The feast-day of the saint, February 14, is a very popular one.

Post Box

TELL ME ABOUT THE OLDEST LETTER BOX IN IRELAND

I LIKE THIS POST BOX – HAVE A GOOD ST VALENTINE DAY