19th century water pump, Mallow, Co.Cork,Ireland

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In the early 18th century, the curative power of Mallow's spa wells in Co. Cork was discovered. Dubbed the "Irish Bath," this water has a consistent temperature of around 70°F, reaching as high as 72°F during summer and dropping to 68°F in winter. However, by the 19th century, the popularity of these spa wells began to decline, prompting local landlord Charles Denham Jephson to commission a new Spa house over the original well. Despite his efforts, this spa was shut down by 1850. In 1857, Jephson took action to revive interest in the spa water by piping it to a nearby location on the other side of the road - specifically designed as a public water feature. Today, this rare example still stands as a functioning water pump, featuring a limestone trough with three carved lion heads that continue to dispense water from their mouths.