Area: Kealstown
Started: June 1954
Finished: August 1954
Poles used: 759
Line used (km): 67
Premises connected: 150
The figures above were sourced from our REO News magazine, to learn more about
what these figures mean, visit our rural
map explanation page. The map above shows the area boundary and is from a
digitised version of the original
map used during the scheme.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Kealstown Rural Area, Co. Kildare: Although the number of consumers was raised from 156 to 246, Mr. H. P. Adams, R.A.E., expects that the final return may not be as good as the original, because many of the additional connections are just inside the limit ratio. At the time of the report, the actual gross cost was not yet available, but revenue had only improved by about £72.
In view of the long interval between the original canvass and actual construction, Mr. Adams thinks that the total of 15 backsliders which he encountered is not unduly heavy. 21 additional acceptances are paying increased fixed charges, and there are also a further 88 at normal charge.
Total sales effected by the A.O. amounted to £330 which is rather low, but it is pointed out that there was considerable competition from local contractors, and that generally the people of the area preferred to do business with the local man rather than with the Board. The general view is that domestic appliances are the most likely to be popular.
There was a certain amount of "wayleave difficulty" which was successfully overcome, but there were no other great constructional difficulties. Labour was somewhat unsatisfactory in the early stages but fell off a little as the area drew to a close.
Mr. Adams concludes with a tribute to his Supervisor, Mr. Dunne and to all the Area Staff for their co‑operative efforts."