Area: Killyneill
Started: June 1956
Finished: January 1957
Poles used: 934
Line used (km): 80
Premises connected: 197
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 May 1957 reports that the terrain in Killyneill was not ideal for fast or easy work
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Killyneill Rural Area, Co. Monaghan:
Mr. E. V. Gallagher, R.A.E., took over the direction of the Killyneill crew from his namesake, Mr. W. J. Gallagher, shortly after work commenced. As might be expected in countryside along the Monaghan/Cavan border, the ground conditions were hilly with many stretches of marshy land and a number of small lakes. Such terrain, as Mr. Gallagher states, was not ideal for fast or easy progress of work but the disadvantages were made up to some extent by the fact that very little rock was met. He makes the interesting comment that the availability of men who had been engaged on rural work in other areas was a big factor in avoiding accidents among hoisting and digging crews.
In this area the number of vacant houses was more than the number of backsliders and the final position was that 277 consumers were connected as against an original figure of 279 expected. Despite the fact that two 3‑phase loads did not materialise, in the case of which little capital could be saved, it appears that the original financial return will be maintained. Mr. Gallagher should feel pleased that his efforts met with such success.
Traders from Monaghan town provided stern competition for Mr. S. Flood, A.O., but he succeeded in bringing his total sales for the area up to the level of £690 in which the chief items were 5 cookers, 2 washing machines, 1 hammer mill, 3 cleaners and 1 pump. The R.A.E. and the A.O. will understand our point of view when we say that we were pleased to note that outside contractors were able to supply and install water pumps at lower cost than the Board. We gather from the report that the area is not without some degree of prosperity and that future sales may be good.
The holding of a “switch‑on” ceremony by the local committee to which the whole construction crew were invited is an item which does not occur very frequently these days. We are glad that this pleasant custom which once held a normal feature of the construction of a rural area has not altogether died out. It speaks well for the relations between the E.S.B. staff and the local people when the latter decided to mark the occasion in a suitable way."