Click on the County Name for a list of pumps and hydrants within that county

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The following is a list of some pump manufacturers and suppliers

Tonge & Taggart
The Tonge Family may have been Hugueots, who arrived in Dublin, by way of Yorkshire, in the early 1800s. They set up a coach-building business in Great Britain Street. Taggart was the brother-in-law of a later Tonge and together they started the South City Foundry in Windmill Lane. Their main business in the 19th century was the manufacture of cast-iron coalhole and manhole covers. However by the end of the century steel had replaced cast-iron for these goods. The firm switched to making castings for pumps and ornamental purposes. They also made wrought-iron goods such as railings.

Glenfield & Kennedy
The Kennedy Patent Water Meter Co Ltd was formed in 1863 from a syndicate of four partners to market the water meter patented by Thomas Kennedy Sr and a local clockmaker. In 1865 the Glenfield Co Ltd was formed to supply castings and undertake general foundry work. In 1899 they merged to form Glenfield & Kennedy at their shared site at Kilmarnock, East Ayreshire, Scotland. The company had offices all over the world and manufactured hydrants and other water-control equipment. It closed about 1970.

Park Street Foundry, Dundalk
I have been unable to find out much about this foundry. The earliest mention seems to be in 1867. It seems to have changed hands several times. There are at least three names on pump inscriptions: Elliot Bros., Gaskin Bros., and Russell (initials of first name not legible). An old trade directory indicates that Gaskins Bros were operating from Park Street in 1934, and it is known thet the Elliot Bros were in Park Street in 1907.

E Manisty and Dundalk Iron Works
As far as I can tell these two names are the same company. There are references as far back as 1820. It was purchased and extended by Edward Manisty in 1878. A trade directory of 1934 shows that E Manisty had an iron works in Market Square, Dundalk. He also had a bakery and an iron mongers, and sold agricultural equipment from the same address. As well as manufacturing pumps Manisty supplied cast-iron items for the railway. He seems to have been very active in local politics. Another reference indicates that the foundry closed in 1928

Branigan, Plumber
I have found only one pump with this name indicating that he had his business in Drogheda. There is a plumber called Branigan of Shop Street, Drogheda buried in the old graveyard at Tullyallen, between Collon and Drogheda. Recently (August 2018) I was sent some photos of a hydrant. It has a small animal mask, possibly a leopard, at the spout and an oval panel inscribed LF Branigan, Plumber, Navan & Drogheda. The census record for 1901 gives Laurence Francis Branigan, Plumber aged 46, at 18 Fair Street. Ten years later he is listed at 18 Shop Steet.

Collins, Plumber
Several pumps bear the name of John Collins, Shop Street, Drogheda, and a trade directory indicates that he was there in 1934. There is no suggestion that Collins manufactured pumps. The 1901 census shows James Collins, aged 57, ironmonger, at 7 Shop Street. His brother Michael, aged 54, plumber, is listed at the same address.

Joseph Evans & Sons, Wolverhampton
Founded in 1810 but with history going back to the 1760s. Produced a range of pumps usually identified by the Lion symbol.

Lee, Howl & Co, Tipton, Staffordshire
Founded in 1887.Produced a range of pumps many of which are almost identical to Joseph Evans pumps. Distinguished from Evans pumps by the use of a small flag symbol. Many also had a small oval plate inscribed All British Made or Made in England. The company also may have been responsible for the Paragon range of pumps which bore a larger version of the Flag and the word Paragon. There are many examples of pumps with designs which suggest Joseph Evans or Lee Howl, but bear no inscriptions or symbols.





Brian T McElherron





If you have any comments or need more information please e-mail me. I would appreciate any photos or descriptions of pumps in your area.

btmcelherron@postmaster.co.uk

OR

knowledgebtmac@gmail.com




LINKS



For anyone interested in pumps in Britain try Village Pumps

Buildings of Ireland covers most of the Irish Republic and has photos and information of many pumps.

Irish Antiquities