Area: Conna
Started: January 1953
Finished: July 1953
Poles used: 755
Line used (km): 65
Premises connected: 116
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.
Sales in Conna were extremely satisfactory according to The REO News from September 1953.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Conna Rural Area, Co. Cork: The report on Conna Rural Area comes from the pen of Mr. F.N. O’Driscoll, R.O.E. in Cork No. 2 District Office but, of course, the R.A.E. was Mr. M. Kennedy.
Of the original 158 economic acceptances, only 6 were backsliders and 49 new consumers were obtained to give a final total of 201. Unfortunately, the supplementary consumers only showed a return of 4.66% which, on paper, reduced the original return from 6.20% to 5.99%. However, some small saving in expenditure brought the final total to 6.05%. According to our information, the quality and quantity of labour, particularly in the matter of hole digging, was against reduction of capital cost but was compensated to some degree by the wiring and servicing portion of the job.
We congratulate the A.O., Mr. J.F. O’Connor on the extremely satisfactory sales total of £2,500 – (other A.Os. please note). Principal items included: 33 Cookers; 9 Pressure Storage Pumps; 11 Burco Boilers; 10 Washing Machines; 1 Refrigerator; 1 Welder; 10 Kettles; 4 Irons. This, as Mr. O’Driscoll points out, is an average of approximately £13 per consumer and Mr. O’Connor’s first appearance in our post‑construction reports is certainly a highly commendable effort. It is what we hope will be an auspicious debut for himself and Rural Electrification. Credit is given to well attended demonstrations (including cookery) for assistance in reaching the sales total.
There were only two contractors in the area, but between them they managed to dispose of: 114 Radios; 1 Cooker; 1 Washing Machine; 33 Irons; 14 Kettles and 3 1‑H.P. Motors.
Mr. J. Lyons has done a “re‑cap” of the area with his Sales Van and sales are still going well, especially for Pumps, for which there are many enquiries.
The report closes with a tribute to the local Guild of Muintir‑na‑Tíre, and, indeed, to all the residents of the area for the co‑operation received."