Area: Portsalon
Started: April 1955
Finished: November 1955
Poles used: 1205
Line used (km): 105
Premises connected: 304
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.
There was a considerable amount of rock in Portsalon according to The REO News from June 1956.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Portsalon Rural Area, Co. Donegal: We are very glad to congratulate Mr. P. J. Quinn and his crew in Portsalon on improving the area return from 5.89% to 6.69%. This very desirable result was achieved by increasing revenue while at the same time reducing costs.
Portsalon, like many other Donegal areas, has a considerable amount of rock and, tractairs, a compressor, and a Warsop drill were in constant use.
Mr. Quinn has an interesting story to tell of the delivering of materials which, readers will recall, was made by the M.V. “Galtee”. The original delivery port was Rathmelton about 16 miles distant from the area. However, when the Galtee got into Lough Swilly the state of the tide prevented Rathmelton being reached until the following day. It was suggested after consultation with the Swilly pilot that in the wonderful weather then prevailing it might be feasible to get into the little used harbour of Portsalon itself. The Captain was not too enthusiastic but finally agreed, and the materials were delivered in practically tropical conditions right in the heart of the area. This is one of those rare occasions when reasoned resource can turn initial adversity into an advantage.
Mr. Quinn pays tribute to Mr. Gilvarry, whose first construction area this was, both for his handling of the consumers and for his sales which totalled over £1,432. We were glad to note 10 pump sales and a fair number of cookers and water heaters in the list. We gather that the area does not impress one as a location where good sales could be expected."