File:THE ASHWORTH PILLAR BOX (THE OLDEST PILLAR BOX IN IRELAND)-115409.jpg
One particularly attractive box, the hexagonal-sided Penfold, caused complaints when it was introduced as letters could occasionally get stuck at the edges. The classic cylindrical shape did away with these problems, however. A great many old post boxes remain in use today and they bring an elegance to their localities that is often much appreciated.
Anthony Trollope (1815 – 1882) was a remarkable man. As a Post Office official he was responsible for introducing the pillar box; and it was during his 18 years working for the Post Office in Ireland and at Drumsna, Co Leitrim in particular, that he wrote his very first novel ‘The McDermotts of Ballycloran’ and got much inspiration for characters in the 46 works that were to follow.
In 1855 the first pillar box arrived in Ireland. Ireland’s oldest post-box, The Ashworth box, is now housed in the National Museum at Collins’ Barracks.