The Pump Project

 

As a green school we do a lot of recycling, we conserve energy and we keep the area around us clean and tidy. This year we decided to give the Parish-Pump a face-lift.
We decided to draw a map to show exactly where the pump is. Aoife, Hazel and Bryan volunteered to draw it. When the map was finished and all the places were marked we scanned it onto the computer.
History of Crusheen pump A long time ago a landlord called Curtin owned a well in a field in Drumaneen. The landlord didn't want people using the well so he blocked it off. Clare Co. Council built a pump at the Ballinruan cross in 1946 or 1947. John Creagh, from 6, Cecil St., Limerick was the contractor. He got a machine from Denmark that could only bore solid rock. The rest had to be dug by hand. Brendan Kilmartin and Mr. Daffy did the digging. Tom and Jim O'Donnell built the walls around the pump. The pump was used by people in the village until a group water scheme was completed in the mid 60's.
Our First Visit We went up to the pump for the first time in November. There was rubbish in the pump and in the area around it. A large advertising hoarding needed to be removed. There were weeds and ivy on the walls and on the pump. We took photos so we could remember what it looked like after we had cleaned it. Then we made a plan and discussed what we had to do.
Our Plan Remove Sign Clear Rubbish and weeds Clean Floor/ walls Paint walls/Pump Put Cap on pump Level The Ground Plant Shrubs Curbs and Tarmac
Before we could do anything, Our Teacher, Mr. Kearney had to ring Clare County Council to get permission to do the work. They were very helpful and did a lot for us.
Miss Cleary asked a painter next door if we could have the loan of his power hose. Miss Cleary power hosed down all the walls and pump. It was too dangerous for us to do. While she was doing that we took up two rocks that were near the pump. Fifth class repainted the walls after they were hosed down but this time we painted them light grey because white gets dirty very easily. Third and Fourth class painted the pump green because the green paint was peeling off and it was dirty and the pump was rusting. Brian's brother Cronan made an aluminium cap for the pump and put it on it. Then we put down shrubs in the area beside the pump. We planted heathers, Honeysuckle and some creepers. We used bark mulch to keep the weeds from coming up.

 

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