Area: Ballyfarnon
Started: October 1952
Finished: August 1953
Poles used: 418
Line used (km): 34
Premises connected: 114
The figures above were sourced from our REO News magazine, to learn more about what these figures mean, visit our interactive map. The map above shows the area boundary and is from a digitised version of the original map used during the scheme.
Ballyfarnon was chiefly a coal mining district reports The REO News from September 1953.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Ballyfarnon Rural Area, Co. Roscommon: Ballyfarnon, we learn from Mr. Osborne, is chiefly a coal mining district with very small farms and with money not too plentiful. It is satisfactory, therefore, to note that the area improved from 7.9% to 8.3%.
Labour was difficult to obtain and rather poor, indeed, only 4 local men could be found within the area. Rock, though not of a very difficult type, was encountered throughout most of the area. Trees also provided a certain amount of worry, and owing to the dispute in Stores work was delayed considerably from time to time. To cap this, Mr. Osborne expresses the opinion that the area was too small to allow for a big gang.
Of the original 180 consumers, 16 were supplied before construction commenced, 10 houses had become vacant, 4 premises were combined to form 2 and there were 8 backsliders. On the other side of the ledger, 41 new consumers were obtained, with the net result indicated in our opening paragraph.
Sales were almost non-existent, at a total of £226, but surprisingly enough for an area of this nature, included 2 Welders. Local contractors sold a large number of Radios, Kettles and Irons.
About 50 outside lights were installed and out outoffice wiring was reasonably good."
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
The good people of Ballyfarnon Rural Area were switched on to our networks at Keadue on the night of July 2nd. Among those present were the Minister for Justice and the T.Ds. in whose constituency Ballyfarnon lies. They made various references to the tension which existed in Leinster House prior to the taking of a much publicised motion of confidence earlier that evening. In the course of his address, the Engineer-in-Charge, Mr. P.J. Dowling, referred to the pleasant transformation from the High Tension of Dáil Éireann to the Low Tension of Keadue.