Area: Tarbert
Started: July 1956
Finished: February 1957
Poles used: 740
Line used (km): 61
Premises connected: 196
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 April 1957 reports that rock, bog and waterlogging caused difficulties in Tarbert.
This digital scan from the REO News displays the following text:
"Tarbert Rural Area, Co. Kerry: Mr. W. Ryan, R.A.E., in his report on Tarbert area draws attention to the fact that difficulties due to rock, bog and waterlogging were considerable. An abnormal amount of switching had to be carried out when spurs and groups were being connected to the backbone line which was already in operation between Tarbert and Glynn. A further factor which added to a much increased figure for contingencies was the liberal use that had to be made of service poles due to the prevalence of small thatched cottages.
The brighter side of the picture was provided by the consumer position as 58 additional acceptances were gained against a loss of 14, of whom only 7 were actual backsliders. As Mr. Ryan did not give a final estimate of the cost an improvement in the financial return cannot be stated to be a certainty. He gives the entire credit for keeping backsliding to such a low figure to his Area Organiser, Mr. John Murphy.
Apart from a total of £112 worth of equipment sold during the demonstration week, it appears that there were no other sales made during the construction period. The same factors as have already been mentioned in the case of Ballywilliam area seem to have operated to the disadvantage of sales in Tarbert also. There is, of course, little similarity between the relative standard of prosperity of the two areas.
Mr. Ryan pays special tribute in his report to the work of his Supervisor, Mr. John Nolan, who had been on rural work in Tralee District since the inception of the Scheme. Not until the Tarbert area was completed, he had left to take up a new position in Athlone and Mr. Nolan states in his own words that he was wished every success by the Area Engineer and all the crew."