Area: Herbertstown
Started: October 1951
Finished: June 1952
Poles used: 1131
Line used (km): 104
Premises connected: 334
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 July 1952 issue of The REO News had a very detailed report about Herbertstown
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"AREA NOTES (Contd.) – 12 –
Herbertstown Rural Area: An unusual and notable feature of this Area, according to Messrs. Paul Healy, R.A.E. and Nix, A.O. was the large number of B. of H. cottages. These totalled 220 out of 523 premises and 190 of the cottages took supply. As can well be imagined, there was no difficulty in securing labour and, indeed, in the first few weeks, Mr. Healy was inundated with applications for employment. The countryside consists of a series of limestone hills separated by level stretches of grassland, but unfortunately, most of the houses were built in elevated positions and, hence, the ideal runs of line through the level tracts could not be used with the result that rock excavation slowed up construction considerably. There were 87 backsliders out of the original 405 consumers, but against this additional acceptances were obtained. 14 out of these 75, however, have been rejected at the 1751 ratio and now became economic under the new 20:1 ratio. 15 others, in addition, fell into the category between the 1751 and 20:1 ratio. These 29 consumers showed of themselves a return of only 5.45%. Fixed charge revenue increased from £2,242 to £2,584. The actual value of work done was very close to the estimated value. The final return improved from 7.71% to 7.89%.
Sales in the Area were not high, as might be anticipated with the preponderance of cottage consumers. The total amounted to £553, the principal items being 7 Cookers; 2 Washing Machines; 10 Burco Boilers; 8 Kettles and 17 Irons. The contractors at work in the Area sold approximately 25 Cookers; 14 Burco Boilers and numerous Kettles and Irons.
It is of some interest that the Herbertstown Area includes the Lough Gur vicinity, considered to be one of the most ancient archaeological sites in Europe. The construction crew kept a sharp look‑out for “finds” but only picked up one stone axe head which they turned over to a local antiquary.
The report concludes with the pleasing news that about 60 outside lights were installed, this feature being popular because of the fact that Herbertstown is completely surrounded by developed areas in which the value of exterior lighting was well proven."