Area: Killeshin
Started: June 1952
Finished: January 1953
Poles used: 598
Line used (km): 57
Premises connected: 175
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 March 1953 reports that most consumers in Killeshin had a bright Christmas in 1952.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Killeshin Rural Area, Co. Carlow: Mr. P. MacRory, R.A.E. is the author of the report on Killeshin area.
Originally the economic acceptances totalled 174. Out of this number, 7 became backsliders, 1 house became vacant and 1 was demolished. 3 further houses were supplied as part of a building scheme of 36 houses which are fed from the Carlow town networks. One other consumer is in the process of building a new house and did not, therefore, take up his acceptance of supply for his old residence. 69 new consumers were obtained to bring the final total up to 230 and all of these had been supplied by the time the gang left the area. Of these 69, 37 were supplied at the limit ratio of 20:1. The nett final result is a drop from 6.66% to 6.3%.
No doubt the good people of Killeshin will remember New Year’s Day"
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"1953. On that date no less than 216 of them were formally switched in for the first time. Informally, most of them had supply for Christmas Day.
Sales in the area totalled £945 and included: 10 Water Pumps, 2 Grain Grinders, 3 Washing Machines, 1 Burco Boiler, 1 Rotary Ironer, 1 Welder, 1 5‑Gal. Waterheater, 1 3 H.P. Motor, 1 1 H.P. Motor. Outside contractors had sold approximately 100 Radios, 20 Kettles and 40 Irons at the time the construction crew left. About 50 consumers provided themselves with outside lighting. Most of the pump purchases were made by consumers who already had water supply laid on to their premises and who were substituting electric pumps for hand‑operated or petrol‑driven models. The absence of sales of Cookers in the area can be ascribed to the fact that practically every farmhouse already possesses an Aga Cooker, utilising anthracite fuel from the local Rossmore Collieries.
It is interesting to note that one consumer who had a plant of his own changed over to E.S.B. supply for everything but his Milking Machine. He even wired all his tenants’ houses (up to 20) so that they would be able to make use of the supply, but on the question of the Milking Machine he was adamant. The ground, he insisted, was soft, and he knew, and then he would be stranded if he had not his own auxiliary engine.
Mr. MacRory pays particular tribute to the exemplary co‑operation which the construction crew received from the area electrician who, with his staff, worked up to very late on Christmas Eve to ensure that as many consumers as possible should have light for Christmas.
Mr. MacRory concludes his report with the opinion that in a year or two, Killeshin should be one of the most Rural Areas in the country as regards consumption. He bases this conclusion on the enthusiasm and the progressive attitude of the farming community in the area."