Post Box

THIS ONE DATES BACK TO THE 1850s

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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.

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