Area: Kiltyclogher
Started: June 1951
Finished: August 1952
Poles used: 788
Line used (km): 67
Premises connected: 156
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 February 1953 reports that the whole of Kiltyclogher village was lit up for the switch on ceremony
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Kiltyclogher Rural Area, Co. Leitrim.
The report on Kiltyclogher area comes from the pen of Mr. P. McRory, R.A.E.
From the construction point of view the area was very difficult – a considerable amount of rock was encountered which was not foreseen, and in all about 700 lbs. of gelignite were used. For the remainder there was some bog, but the general texture of the area was blue clay which is hard and sticky and made digging relatively difficult. As can be imagined from such terrain, the agricultural outlook is poor indeed.
Only one industry was encountered in the area, the making of sharpening stones from a type of rock found in the hills near the village of Kiltyclogher itself. Up to the present all manufacture was done by hand, but now with power available, there is a move afoot to have it mechanised.
It is claimed that there are other valuable minerals in these hills and, in fact, the village of Kiltyclogher was built as part of a project to develop these minerals. It is named at this time was Sarvihi in memory of the daughter of one of the pioneers who was lost in the hills. Shortly after the village was built, the mineral project was abandoned.
The original number of acceptances was 225 but additional application brought the total to 259. A further 9 belated applications had not been serviced at the time the construction crew left the area. It is noted that most of the new consumers are at the limited ratio of 20:1 and that as a result the overall return for the area has dropped. The report does not include any figures of capital cost.
For the switch‑on ceremony the whole village was illuminated and the illuminations included the floodlighting of the statue of Sean McDermott of Easter Week fame. Sean was a native of Kiltyclogher, where his brother still lives.
Most of the sales in the area were made by contractors. At the time the construction crew left, the items installed included 3 Cookers, 3 Ice Cream Refrigerators, 2 Domestic Refrigerators, 4 Water Pumps, 1 Milking Machine, some equipment for a Ladies Hairdressing Salon, 30 Kettles, 30 Irons and other small domestic appliances. The main immediate interest in the area appears to be the getting of Main Radio Sets.
As Mr. McRory has been transferred to Portlaoise, he has taken this opportunity to express his thanks to the staff of Sligo District Office for their co‑operation, and pays tribute to the gang of which he was in charge for nearly two years, with particular reference to the football team. He has pleasant memories of the days they vanquished the team from Manorhamilton."