Area: Clonaslee
Started: December 1947
Finished: August 1948
Poles used: 891
Line used (km): 73
Premises connected: 45
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 switch on ceremony in Clonaslee was obviously very popular as reported in The REO News from June 1948.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Clonaslee, 31st May: On the evening of “switch in” day a demonstration was held in Clonaslee hall, at which the P.P. spoke paying tribute to the rural scheme. It was not possible to estimate the attendance as there were more people outside the hall trying to get in, than were already inside."
Bread Baking competitions were popular and a prize giving in Clonaslee was noted in The REO News from July 1958.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"CLONASLEE REJOICES
We are indebted to the “Leinster Express” of Saturday, July 12th, for the following report:–
Laois Irish Countrywomen’s Association had a great get‑together at Clonaslee on Tuesday night when Portlaoise Branch of the E.S.B. presented a record‑player to Mrs. Nora Nasmorth, Grange, Stradbally, who took fourth place in Ireland at the National brown bread baking competition.
The competition was sponsored by the E.S.B. and the National Ploughing Association.
There were I.C.A. representatives present from Stradbally, Ballybrittas, Portarlington, Camross, Clough, Castletown, Mountmellick, Clonaslee, Abbeyleix, Rath, Grangecuullen and Portlaoise.
Mr. T. Grieve, E.S.B. Engineer, introduced Mr. J. Roe, District Sales Manager, Market Square, Portlaoise, who made the presentation. He said: “I apologise for the absence of Mr. W. F. Fox, our District Engineer. I am greatly honoured and privileged to represent Mr. Fox, and to be in the presence of such a wonderful gathering. Mrs. Nasmorth, Laois I.C.A. President, had not merely taken pride of place in Laois in the competition but was placed fourth in Ireland.
The E.S.B. has had great pleasure in co‑operating with the National Ploughing Association in promoting this competition, the aim of which is to revive the use of native wheaten. Since the advent of rural electrification the drying and grinding of native wheat has been simplified and this advance was reflected in the national wholemeal bread competition.
On behalf of the E.S.B. I offer my heartiest congratulations to Mrs. Nasmorth on her wonderful achievement and I hope she’ll do even better on the next occasion.”
“I am privileged to be asked to present this record‑player to Mrs. Nasmorth,” said Mr. Roe. “I happen to have known Mrs. Nasmorth for some time, and I have visited her in her home in Grange, Stradbally, and I can say, in all sincerity, that if all countrywomen were up to her standard, then this would be a better country for us all.”
Mrs. Nasmorth, returning thanks, said: “When I entered for the competition I never for one moment expected to take fourth place, and next time perhaps, I shall do better.”
After tea, prepared by the members of the I.C.A. in Clonaslee, of which Miss G. Casey is President, Mr. P. O’Shea put the record player in action and also entertained the gathering with song, which earned a full chorus."