Area: Castletown
Started: June 1954
Finished: December 1954
Poles used: 1002
Line used (km): 95
Premises connected: 304
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.
There was a shortage of labour in Castletown reports The REO News from March 1955.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Castletown Rural Area, Co. Limerick: Mr. D. A. Harnett succeeded Mr. J. N. Tansey as Area Engineer, when about 40% of the area was constructed. He describes himself as a “very green R.A.E.” and pays tribute to his Supervisor, Mr. Hickey and the other members of the area staff for the very considerable assistance he has received from them in this his first area.
He may well be proud of his first venture, since he improved the area return from 5.18% to 7.02%—some of which gain, but not all of it, must be attributed to the fact of the reduction of overheads from 22% to 17%.
Total acceptances improved from 294 to 313 with a corresponding increase in revenue from £1,869 to £2,234. The good capital costing was obtained in spite of delays caused by a severe shortage of labour, and it is somewhat of a change to read that the area was a comparatively easy one with very little rock or water.
To keep pace with the good construction standards, the Area Organiser, Mr. Penny, is to be congratulated on a total sales of £1,600, which included: 21 Cookers; 5 Pumps; 5 Washing Machines; 5 Vacuum Cleaners; 4 Burco Boilers; 3 Breakfast Cookers; 1 Barngold Mill; 28 Kettles; 25 Irons and 7 Fires. This excellent total was obtained in face of severe opposition and considerable price cutting."