Stroan Fountain, Kilkenny

The Stroan fountain is a free-standing limestone structure with an almost illegible inscription:

??66 Erected by subscription by permission of the Landlord Gervase Bushe. Designed and arranged by Thomas Seigne.

The fountain is comprised of a stone basin covered with a domed structure topped by a limestone obelisk. The dome is formed from four tooled limestone legs with concrete infil panels; the fountain is fed by a cistern approximately 40metres to the north-west by means of a buried pipe.

There are three stone steps to access the fountain and two water outlets. One provided for filling barrels placed on a donkey and cart and the other allowed for buckets placed on a pair of spudstones to be filled. Prior to start of work the fountain was functioning but the pond was overgrown and the wall behind derelict.

A survey was undertaken, water levels were calculated and a section of the fountain opened. Remedial work was undertaken to the four stone legs and the structure was carefully repointed with lime mortar. The pipe carrying water to the fountain was found to be broken and leaking and this was repaired. Drainage ditches were provided along the field boundary and at the roadside.

The pond was cleared and one of the missing stone corbels for setting the buckets on was found. A second corbel was made to match the original. The wall to the rear was rebuilt to include a stile.

The fountain is a protected structure (C462) (NIAH no.12402827) in the ownership of Kilkenny County Council. The work was undertaken with a grant from the Civic Structures Fund and financial assistance from Kilkenny County Council and the Follies Trust. The Conservation Report undertaken for Duchas – Tullaherin Heritage Society in 2004 was the starting point for the project and the Society was a partner in the scheme.

The Stroan Fountain after completion

Stroan fountain information board and members of Tullaherin Heritage Society & the Follies Trust meet at the fountain June 2011 post project completion: