Area: Rhode
Started: January 1953
Finished: July 1953
Poles used: 1190
Line used (km): 102
Premises connected: 242
The figures above were sourced from our REO News magazine. Click interactive map to find out more on what the figures mean. The map above shows the area boundary and is from a digitised version of the original map used during the scheme.
Speech by J.F. Bourke REO at the switch on ceremony in Rhode, Co. Offaly in 1953. Local journalist taking notes of the speech
The REO News from September 1953 tells us that sales were indifferent in Rhode:
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Rhode Rural Area, Co. Offaly
The report on Rhode Rural Area is supplied by Mr. J.F. Fortune, R.A.E., and from it we learn that the area ratio fell from 5.88% to 5.55%. There were 40 backsliders, with 11 consequential rejections, and 9 of the original accepting premises had become vacant. However, in spite of this, the total of consumers rose from 324 to 377 but 25 of the additional consumers are paying special service charges. Although revenue increased from £1,904 to £2,156, the gross capital rose more rapidly from £32,420 to £39,300. For a certain portion of this increase in capital, Mr. Fortune points out that due to the pole stock position at the time of construction, all the H.T. poles allocated to the area were of the heavy type and quite a number of the L.T. poles were also in the plus grade. In addition, it would appear that provision was made in building the L.T. networks to pick up about 40 Co. Council cottages which were at the time in the course of erection.
Sales were at the rather indifferent level of £425 but it is satisfactory to note that out of this relatively small amount, most of the sales were of non-domestic appliances. It may seem strange to use the term "satisfactory" but it is readily recognised that non-domestic sales are more difficult to procure than those for domestic appliances. The principal items included: 2 welders; 2 shallow well pumps; 1 deep well pump; 1 animal food cooker; 1 1-H.P. motor; 2 power packets; 1 3-plate cooker and 3 irons. Sales by the electrical contractors operating in the area consisted principally of small domestic appliances and radios.
The prospects for post-development are reasonably good and it is interesting to note that one of the purchasers of a welder, Mr. T. Haughton of Castlejordan, would probably undertake the installation of pumps during a post-development campaign."