Shercock, Co. Cavan

Area: Shercock
Started: June 1959
Finished: November 1959
Poles used: 1558
Line used (km): 140
Premises connected: 314

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.

Shercock was featured in The REO News from September 1959.This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:

Concoctions
The blackberries were plump black, and delicious in the hedgerows around Shercock Rural Area. We went up there one brilliant early Autumn day, the sun scattering the haze to reveal a cloudless sky, and the leaves already tinted with gold yellow and brown.

Shercock’s wide, busy main street, seems to disappear into Lough Sillan, as you look down its gentle slope from the Area Office. The area lies on the Cavan‑Monaghan border, in rough, lumpy, bumpy country, with hardly a patch of level ground to be seen. Farms perch on hillsides like birds’ nests. It’s sad to reflect that quite a few I saw had been deserted or taken to clumps.

Not much fun for pegging in this country, according to Seán Doyle, T.E.A. You’d want a boot – there are no less than twenty‑four lakes in the 46 sq. mile area – ranging from mill‑pond‑sized Island Lough to the big Lough Sillan, just outside the town.

This is the lake that two practical jokers selected into which to roll thirteen drums of 50’s S.C.A. down wooded slopes from the roadway fifty feet above. Somehow, only one drum was damaged, and none reached the waiting waters.

Is this country picturesque? Less so than the south, I’d say, though the terrain is unique. From a hill just outside the town, on the Kingscourt Road, you can see seven twinkling lakes set like diamonds in the hillocks. I should think the peculiar ruggedness of Cavan would be reputedly industrious people. (I thought myself that their shrewdness was more pronounced, witness one shopper!) They’re a friendly people, though, and great conversationalists; they will discuss every detail and facet of even the driest of subjects.

Shercock development is in the hands of Seamus O’Friel. For him, this is only passing the time, as rumours Engineering graduate, he decided three years ago to switch to Medicine. He is now about to commence as an intern, being a fourth year Medic. Up to this Seamus has returned to the Board as relief R.A.E. during the summer. This is the last occasion on which he will be with us “to our mutual benefit”, we hope! We shall miss him.

The country around Shercock is mainly cattle‑raising. The demand for agricultural appliances is not large. Sales were modest but steady.

One cannot leave Shercock without remarking on the open friendliness of the people, their readiness to help, and their genuine interest in Rural Electrification.

There is something about Shercock that stays with you after you leave it, and one feels instinctively that the area, in its own quiet way, will prosper steadily in the years to come.

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Dublin crowd in the Richmond once described him (nervously) as “steadwinds”. Yes, too!

How does Seamus do it? Is he browned off studying? You’d think so, but no – he likes it!!! (He’s an old Clongownian – where James Joyce was interned “as a young man” – there’s no accounting for what the school turns out…). Saving himself this present or the W\.T.P.’S? This spare time in Shercock he studies some mysterious subject other than Medicine. Occasionally, on weekends at home in Howth, and on the local doctors’ court in Shercock, he plays tennis.

And what a set‑up he has in the Area! A fine big back room for an office – looking down over a vast store area to muddy Lough – and above that a three‑roomed flat – bedroom, living‑room and kitchen. Married R.A.E.’s will be envious indeed. This summer daily was married the other day when Seamus’ irrepressible Afghan hound was killed in a road accident.

Everyone will join with us in wishing Seamus every encouragement in his new career.

We saw only a little of Paddy Connolly, the Supervisor. He just dropped in to say hello and was off in his van to look after things. Paul Fogarty is the Area Clerk – the “boffin” who keeps Head Office out of Engineers’ hair. Paul likes Shercock, as he is an enthusiast (but, he says, relatively unsuccessful) fisherman. “Pike, perch, and tench (is that the word I go to the pictures in my spare time!) give fairly good sport – particularly in Lough Tucker, North of the town.” English visitors are enjoying themselves.

Paul’s first love is shooting, and he’s just put me mild there: the first rough work of the season would most likely be served in his “digs” that day (and delicious it tasted!).

Donal Cunningham, the Mapping Assistant, shares Paul’s fishing hobby. He has been more successful, though – has a few “fairly big” pike to his name.

No sign of A.O. Noel McCabe, who was out around the area doing what, to him, comes naturally – selling. (£500 to date, and £200 to £300 more expected).

While we were there Tom Breslin arrived to learn the ropes before taking over from Seamus O’Friel in Monaghan. Tom is from Donegal Footballer, and has the build to go with the distinction. He has a new .4D, for rumbling over roads in the Area. In his charge we expect the gang will continue to be mentioned in “Cost & Mileage” despatches.

We headed home from Shercock with the evening mist settling over the lakes, and the sun setting behind the walls with Autumn shadows. He left behind us the “Dump” – a R.I. waiting‑room, no sign of bridge above rippling waterfull, but we are no doubt the locals U.O.C. will arrang\[e] in due course – and sped home through the utterly, truly pastoral plains of Meath. We stopped once on the road to admire a cosy‑looking thatched cottage with growing picturesquely up the service pole (In another year there’ll be parking flying fifty… it ain’t taken in hands. Pity, in a way).

Possible? One who always sees microbes in the milk of kindness.

Some men don’t age still believing they’re as good as they never were.

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