THE RUSSELL MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN IN LIMERICK – THE JAFFEE FOUNTAIN IN BELFAST IS A TWIN
The Peoples Park in Limerick has a number of interesting items including an ornate drinking fountain which, according to Wikipedia, is one of only two on the island of Ireland but I do not fully agree with that claim
I have photographed three Victorian era fountains – One in Belfast (no doubt a twin of the Limerick fountain), one In Limerick and one in Dun laoghaire (which does appear to be much more ornate). There is also a possibility that the 1929 religious shrine at the junction of Reginald Street and Gray Street in Dublin started out as a similar structure.
The Richard Russell fountain, which had been overseas for many months undergoing restoration, was returned to the People’s Park in November 2009.
The fountain was originally erected in 1877 to mark the gratitude of Limerick for Richard Russell, a highly regarded employer. The official unveiling of the restored fountain, which was attended by some one hundred people, was undertaken by the mayor of Limerick, Kevin Kiely.
The restoration process, which retained the original red colour of the fountain, was carried out in Britain at a total cost of €80,000. Two plaques on the structure give due recognition to Richard Russell.
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