On the 47th anniversary of Apollo 11’s first manned mission to the moon, the August 1958 issue of REO News printed a cartoon which speaks to the success of the Rural Electrification Scheme. REO Gallery REO News contains a variety of different articles, stories, anecdotes and cartoons relating to rural electrification. Check out a selection… Continue Reading
The dates and data used to populate the rural google map were taken from the 168 issues of the REO News, published between December 1947 and November 1961. We are reliant on these figures from REO News, as often, no other record remains which gives specific details about when an area was started and completed,… Continue Reading
The dates and data used to populate the rural google map were taken from the 168 issues of the REO News, published between December 1947 and November 1961. We are reliant on these figures from REO News, as often, no other record remains which gives specific details about when an area was started and completed,… Continue Reading
First phase: 1946-1965 The first phase of the Rural Electrification Scheme was implemented between 1946 and 1965. Every county was divided into ‘rural areas’ of about 25 square miles, which were typically based on Parish boundaries, rather than geographic location. The 26 counties of rural Ireland were divided into a total of 792 rural areas,… Continue Reading
REO demonstrations were conducted in a variety of ways: mobile kitchens and exhibitions meant that demonstrations could be experienced all over Ireland. cooking demonstrations to show the convenience of the electric oven. Dishes were shared among the audience members to show that the proof really was in the pudding. targeted demonstrations to… Continue Reading
The 1952 World Ploughing Championships were held in Killarney, Co. Kerry, For the event, the National Ploughing Association (NPA) requested ESB’s help in providing electricity for the event. ESB seized the opportunity, sparking a long-lasting exercise in co-operation with the NPA, and further enabling regular showcases demonstrating the benefits of electricity on the farm to… Continue Reading
The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) was founded in 1731 to promote improvements in ‘Husbandry, Manufactures and other Useful Arts and Sciences’, and from 1831 became the leader in Ireland for agricultural showcases. The REO recognised the value of the RDS Spring Shows in spreading the message of rural electrification to the farming community. As Shiel… Continue Reading
