Area: Carrig
Started: June 1954
Finished: February 1955
Poles used: 698
Line used (km): 66
Premises connected: 110
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.
The REO News from March 1955 suggests that rock was the main difficulty in Carrig.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
“Carrig Rural Area, Co. Tipperary: Mr. Fahy and his men were among those crews who had to abandon construction work in December and turn over to the repair of the existing network along the Shannon. About a fortnight’s construction work was lost as a result.
There were 15 losses out of the original total of 202, of whom it might be said that there were no backsliders in the true sense, since the 11 cases of defection were due to changes in economic circumstances, bereavement, or change of tenancy. 21 new acceptances were gained for a final total of 211, and we are glad to record that the area return improved from 5.32% to 5.42%.
As its name suggests, the principal difficulty in Carrig area was rock but there is also a considerable amount of timber in the region, and the report notes that the contingencies figure allowed is insufficient to meet the needs of the case.
Sales reached the excellent total of £2,105 and we must congratulate the A.O., Mr. Corbett, on this effort which is claimed as a record for Athlone District. His achievement is particularly meritorious when one takes into account that this was his first assignment with a construction crew. Among the items sold we noted: 5 Pumps; 4 Grinders; 1 Food Cooker; 51 Irons; 50 Kettles; 17 Washing Machines; 6 Cookers; 5 Burco Boilers and 12 Fires.
Mr. Fahy gives honourable mention to the assistance in sales accorded by the Demonstration Unit under Mr. P. O’Shea. Sales for that week totalled more than £500.
Local contractors had sales to an estimated value of £800.
The report acknowledges the very active assistance of the local committee under the leadership of the Right Rev. Msgr. Quinn, P.P., V.G., in dealing with consumer problems which arose.”