Area: Carrigans
Started: October 1952
Finished: June 1953
Poles used: 1159
Line used (km): 96
Premises connected: 117
The figures above were sourced from our REO News magazine, to learn more about what these figures mean, visit our interactive map page. The map above shows the area boundary and is from a digitised version of the original map used during the scheme.
The residents of Carrigans were already used to having electricity according to The REO News from August 1953.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Carrigans Rural Area, Co. Donegal: Mr. D. P. Gallagher’s report on Carrigans opens by saying that as a result of an intensive effort by the A.O. the re‑checking of the area was completed and design and pegging were well advanced when the construction crew arrived. It was noted that the residents did not get wildly excited about the extension of Rural Electrification to their area, but this was not due to apathy; it was merely due to the fact that as they are completely surrounded by developed areas, supply was taken for granted. Outside lights and power plugs were regarded as a matter of course and all farms of any consequence have them installed. There were four 3‑phase connections, to a Meat Packing Factory, a Corn Mill, an Iron Works and a Creamery.
The consumer position in Mr. Gallagher’s report is somewhat confused in detail, principally due to the fact that the St. Johnston Undertaking was not acquired until the construction period was over. However, it would appear that ignoring this factor there were 82 backsliders in the original groups. This is broken up as follows:
Vacant and temporarily vacant – 27
Difficulties over wiring tenanted premises – 49
No reason given – 6
64 new consumers were gained and an additional Supplementary Authorisation was issued for 29 extra consumers. The report somehow comes to the conclusion that the main area finished with a loss of 19 consumers, but with an increase in revenue of £125. No figures are given for capital cost and we cannot, therefore, say what the final return is in relation to the original return.
On the sales side, there was keen competition from the contractors who had vans operating in the area. Their sales are known to include 6 Washing Machines, 3 Pumps, 2 Refrigerators, 16 Kettles and 9 Cookers. Our sales were low enough at £551 and included 6 Pumps, 4 Washing Machines, 3 Cookers, 1 Welder, 1 Power Packer and 1 Burco Boiler.
Mr. Gallagher does not anticipate that there will be much prospect for post‑development."