Area: Kilmead
Started: August 1953
Finished: October 1954
Poles used: 1278
Line used (km): 109
Premises connected: 276
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 January 1955 reports that backsliding was a problem in Kilmead.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Kilmead Rural Area, Co. Kildare: This excellent report from Mr. F. Kelleher, R.A.E. discloses that the final area result was an improvement from 4.92% to 5.22% and this in spite of 30 recalcitrant backsliders. New consumers totalled 99 to bring the total from 316 up to 381 and of these 21 are supplied at the limit ratio paying special service charges. Naturally this high figure of backsliding occupied much of the time of the A.O., Mr. Fogarty, who was also called upon to do some canvassing in the neighbouring area of Vicarstown. His sales total of £920 in the circumstances is an excellent performance although in different conditions it might not be regarded as outstanding. Notable among his sales were: 9, pumps; 4, cookers; 2, washing machines; 1, grain grinder; 10, kettles; 3, irons. Sales by local contractors were extensive including 2, pumps; 6, washing machines and a very large number of kettles and irons. We understand that the sale of grain driers was not helped by a certain derogatory article published in one of the local newspapers. Mr. ——— read this article and visited the writer with the result that he retracted it fully in a subsequent issue of the newspaper. Apparently, however, the harm had been done and in addition the Kilmead farmers seem to think that the output of the electric drier was unimpressive. Over 70% of the consumers in the area installed outside lighting."