Area: Kilbrittain
Started: April 1955
Finished: January 1956
Poles used: 1225
Line used (km): 116
Premises connected: 285
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.
Backsliding was a problem in Kilbrittain as reported in The REO News from April 1956.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Kilbrittain Rural Area, Co. Cork: It is a pity to find that in his opening paragraph Mr. P.J. Buckley refers to the “——— handicap of having no Area Organiser in the area for the first six weeks of construction”.
Backsliding was very bad, amounting at one stage to 20% of the total acceptances, and Mr. Buckley found himself in an unenviable position, with no area organiser, no local committee, and with his supervisor full‑time engaged in an endeavour to fill his depleted semi‑skilled ranks. The terrain wasn’t easy either, and many people will"
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"recall it as the model for General Tom Barry's book "Guerilla Days in Ireland".
When Mr. D. O'Regan arrived as Area Organiser, he fell to his task with a will, and recovered some of the backsliders, while obtaining some new acceptances. His final figure was 313 consumers as against an original total of 322. It is not surprising to learn that in the circumstances the percentage return for the area dropped from 6.26% to 5.91%.
Sales in the area amounted to £850, the principal drawback being bad deliveries. Local contractors sold approximately £1,200 worth of goods and Mr. Buckley thinks that prospects for future sales appear bright.
Mr. Buckley expresses deep feelings, with which we must agree, in the matter of a rigid check on acceptances obtained after the official canvass is over, and on the opportunity of a check on acceptances before construction begins."