Pump in front of 18 Scarva Street, Loughbrickland, Banbridge, Co Down

This is a lever handle water pump dating from between 1880 and 1899, situated in front of 18 Scarva Street, Loughbrickland, near Banbridge in County Down. The pump is a rare and unusually designed example, of group value representing an important reminder of a time when public water sources were the primary means of obtaining drinking water. It is a closed-head lever type, featuring a plain shaped column with two circular bands, and leaf decoration on the cap. A distinctive, large bracket supports the handle fulcrum, and a spout is positioned relatively low on the column. The pump is located within a small square on the west side of the road, and is currently incorporated into a flower bed. It was recorded on an Ordnance Survey map of 1918 (PRONI Ref 6/3/34/4) and further details are documented in Fred Hammond’s report 'Water Pumps in Northern Ireland: A Preliminary Survey' (January 1997, Pump no 42). The pump is of industrial archaeological interest, exhibiting notable style, proportion, ornamentation and setting. It holds both social, cultural, economic, and local historical significance due to its rarity. Ownership is currently held by the local government.