Area: Drishane
Started: October 1952
Finished: February 1953
Poles used: 892
Line used (km): 79
Premises connected: 195
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.
Construction in Drishane was relatively straightforward according to The REO News from March 1953.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Drishane Rural Area, Co. Cork: The post‑construction report on this area is signed by Mr. W. Ryan, R.A.E. and Mr. J. Dowling, A.O. The area, we gather, was relatively easy from the point of view of construction, the principal trouble being water‑logging which occurred in holes in low lying ground. Labour was plentiful and of fairly good quality and the supply of material was satisfactory.
Out of the original total of 289 economic consumers, 22 became backsliders, of whom 13 had signed special Guarantees of Acceptance. The matter of these 13 is under discussion with the District Engineer, but from the report we learn that four of them had become vacant and one other house had been destroyed by fire.
There were 41 new consumers, of whom 16 paid increased fixed charges, to bring the final total to 308. Revenue has increased from £1,635 to £1,753 with a corresponding increase in capital cost from £25,280 to £26,580. The area return has thus improved from 6.46% to 6.59%. When the construction crew left the area, 212 consumers had been connected. Of the remaining 96, 83 were B.O.H. cottages. These will be wired free by the Cork Co.C. and tenders had been invited shortly before the construction crew moved out.
Sales were very low. Outside contractors sold 2 Cookers, 4 Milking Machines, 24 Radios, 33 Irons, 28 Kettles. Sales by the E.S.B. comprised 4 Pumps and 1 Washing Machine.
The report indicates that there will be some market for future sales of Pumps, as many enquiries had been made during the course of construction. 40% of the houses wired had installed outside lights and it is expected that the number will increase to about 60%."