Fitzgerald Fountain, Whitegate, Co.Cork.

INTRODUCTION

Last winter waste water works involving the insertion of storage tanks deep beneath the village green were carried out . I used to pass the green on a regular bases as the works were progressing and I noticed that an old fountain , located near to the centre of the green seemed to have been overlooked and in need of attention .I made inquiries about the fountain and several of the people I queried did not even seem to notice that it was there ! When I spoke to some members of theResidents Association I was told that there was no budget to restore it.

At this point (March 20^th ) I took on the task of having the fountain restored to its rightful glory, into my own hands and I immediately contacted Cork County Council to see if there were any grants available. On June 14^th , after much form filling , getting quotations and even meeting with the local Councellor Susan Mc Carthy , 5000 euro of funds towards restoration of the fountain was finally granted on the condition that the restoration project is completed by 30^th November 2024. Since then the Residents Association Committee have kindly agreed to carry out fund raising for this worthy cause and we hope that the residents of Whitegate will all row in with them .

HISTORY

The cut stone fountain was originally erected “ For the good of the people “ by Robert Penrose Fitzgerald of Corkbeg House , in 1873 when he was only 34 and and it has since become dilapidated. It was described by the National Inventery of Architectural Heritage as being “ Artistic, Historical and Social “ and it states that the level of craftsmanship is of the highest quality and that it serves as a reminder of the skills of the local stonemasons and sculptures . Restoration of the fountain woulf make it the focal point of the village and ensure that it is maintained for future generations and hopefully it might create a sense of pride amongst the residents. It was originally eracted close to the celtic cross war memorial on the Corkbeg side of the village , which is approximately 200 metres away from its current location .

RESTORATION

The plan is to move the fountain ( away from the 5 poles which currently obscure it ) to a location a few metres opposite it , closer to the main road . This will require dismantelling the fountain and transporting it to a workshop for restoration by a West Cork stone conservation company .The restoration will involve careful steam cleaning of all the cut stone surfaces , removal of the later gun barrell piping, carrying out stone indent repairs to the 3 classical lion heads , reguilding the various stone inscriptions and the creation of a replacement lime stone capping stone.

Before it can be returned to Whitegate , it will be necessary to create a foundation and to build a raised cut plinth for the fountain . The restored fountain can then be erected onto the new plinth . It is also planned to have the fountain plumbed with an electric water pump which will be the first time that the “ glug glug “ sound of flowing water will be heard from the fountain since before it was moved from its original position , close to Corkbeg . Uplighters ( similar to those used on the Choctaw sculpture in Balick Park ) are also planned so that it will be visable at night.

FUNDING

Although all of the tenders have not yet come in , we have estimated that the total cost for moving, restoring, building a foundation and plinth , re erection , plumbing , wireing , and sinage will cost a total of approximately 20.000 euro.

Geataban by DJ O Sullivan

Taken from his book “ Light house Lyrics “

O Geataban of the one street

And fountain where the young folk meet

To whisper words of love ,

When stars shine bright above

Alay!

That Im not there ,

Would that I were ,

Today.

Seamas OhEocha

Careystown Meadows ,

Whitegate.

Fitzgerald Fountain Whitegate Co. Cork. Refurbishment Project

Created by Whitegate Village Residents Association

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