Carndonagh, Co. Donegal

Map extract showing rural electrification areas in County Donegal, including Carndonagh.

Area: Carndonagh
Started: July 1956
Finished: December 1956
Poles used: 1154
Line used (km): 99
Premises connected: 565

The figures above were sourced from our REO News magazine. Click interactive map to find out more on what the figures mean. The map above shows the area boundary and is from a digitised version of the original map used during the scheme.

Switch-on ceremony, 25 October 1956:

Black-and-white photograph showing a ceremonial switching-on event, with a person operating an electrical switch while a group of attendees gathers around a demonstration display.

Black-and-white photograph showing attendees seated at a banquet or reception, with a group standing behind the top table.

The REO News from March 1957 reports that it was a smooth changeover from the local undertaking in Carndonagh:

Report on the Carndonagh rural electrification area describing the transfer of the local electricity network to ESB, consumer growth and appliance sales. This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:

"Carndonagh Rural Area, Co. Donegal

A smooth change-over from the local supply undertaking in Carndonagh Town to the Board's supply took place only just in time according to Mr. P.J. Quinn, R.A.E., whose gang developed the area. The connection of 30 new Council houses in the already heavily taxed network was the straw which nearly broke the camel's back. The owner of the undertaking, who was glad to be relieved of his burden, gave great assistance during the change-over, which was accomplished with the minimum dislocation of supply. This was achieved by dividing the network into five sections, each of which was dealt with separately.

Carndonagh itself is the centre of quite a prosperous area with a number of well established industries and it is also a popular resort for holiday-makers. Forty-four additional consumers were obtained to leave the final total at 555 and Mr. Quinn expects the financial return to improve from 7.26% to 7.35%.

Sales were good at £1,515, comprising mostly domestic equipment as would be expected. Seven three-plate cookers, 20 breakfast cookers, 15 fires, 2 refrigerators and 2 vacuum cleaners made up the bulk of the total, while 2 welders, 2 bench drills, a Barngold mill and an animal food cooker show that Mr. J. O'Doherty, A/O, did not lose sight of the agricultural side."