Area: Inchigeela
Started: April 1955
Finished: February 1956
Poles used: 1080
Line used (km): 197
Premises connected: 254
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.
Incheela was described as picturesque in The REO News from April 1956.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Inchigeela Rural Area, Co. Cork: Inchigeela area was constructed hand‑in‑glove with Ballingeary, described by Mr. F. Calnan as “the nursery of the Munster Gaeltacht”. It is picturesque country, but like Kilbrittain, is the type of terrain which featured in the struggle for independence. Certainly the older of our readers will have heard and sung of the “Boys of Kilmichael”.
Backsliding and tough terrain played havoc with revenue and with capital costs, and when we learn that 2,400 lbs. of gelignite were used to blast the rock out of 70% of the holes, it is not surprising to learn that the time‑content of the costs increased. An excellent job was done in saving approximately £2,000 worth of material to finish with an over‑expenditure of £218. The percentage return for the area fell from 5.35% to 5.20%.
Sales were low at £490, but Mr. Calnan regards this figure as not surprising in view of the general absence of prosperity, and in view of the fact that the area organiser was on sick leave for several weeks during the construction period."