Area: Glenamaddy
Started: April 1950
Finished: April 1951
Poles used: 1801
Line used (km): 134
Premises connected: 497
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 REO News from January 1951 reports on pomp and ceremony in Glenamaddy.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"NEWS ITEMS
With all pomp and ceremony the Glenamaddy Rural Area was switched‑in on 14th December. After the ceremony a banquet was held to celebrate the occasion. Among those present was Mr. W. Donnellan, T.D., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance. Mr. Donnellan’s home is in the Area. Messrs. Dowling and Conroy attended on behalf of Head Office and the District Office was represented by Messrs. McCarthy and McDonagh. All the guests were presented with an attractive Souvenir, from which we quote the following:–
GLENAMADDY
***
Parish of Boyounagh
***
Situated between Tuam and Roscommon, our Parish is about 10 miles long and 3.4 miles wide. Tradition has it that St. Patrick visited Boyounagh and built a Church there. Later the Dominican Friars built a Church there.
During the Penal Days Mass was celebrated in Lishenamehiltie and Esker; on one occasion Priests and people were surprised and slaughtered. About 1820 a Church was built in Glenamaddy and this was replaced in 1902–5 by the present Gothic Church, which is indeed a very fine one.
So much for the past. As to the present, with an industrious and reasonably prosperous farming community, with our excellent fairs and markets and with the provision of water, light and sewerage, we hope and pray that our future will be bright."
and The REO News from August 1951 tells us appliance sales were good in Glenamaddy
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Glenamaddy Rural Area: The report from Mr. P. Lydon, R.A.E. and Mr. M. B. Sugrue, A.O., on the Glenamaddy Rural Area, is most detailed and interesting. The area was one where a number of committees were active in the canvassing stage. Some carried out “selection‑at‑any‑cost drives” and this, in the opinion of Mr. Lydon, led to widespread backsliding. Out of a total of 623 economic acceptances, 131 householders refused to accept supply and this, together with houses that became vacant, resulted in a total loss of 155 consumers. The committees, however, did not withdraw from the scene when the areas had been selected, and by maintaining constant contact with them, and by holding a number of meetings in schools and halls, 105 extra acceptances were obtained. The final figures show a nett loss of 38 houses, with a corresponding loss in revenue of £51. An appreciable rise in the capital cost will leave the percentage return considerably down on the figure at which the area was selected.
A brighter note is struck by the report on the sales in the area. Although ten shops were engaged in selling electrical equipment, together with the usual contractors, we presume, the Board sales amounted to £3,011, the principal items being: 1 40‑H.P. motor; 3 Woods Grain Grinders; 2 Washing Machines; 24 3‑plate Cookers; 14 Kettles; 20 Irons; and 3 10‑gal. Burco Boilers. We were very pleased to see that one Max Arcolite Welder had been sold, but more intrigued by the item “39 Fires”. A nice little bouquet is handed to the staff of the No.1 Demonstration Unit, “The demonstrations appreciably helped the sales, as also did the members of the ‘crew’ who gave the names of possible clients to the Area Organiser, having first given the client a sales talk."