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Then There Was Light: Stories from Ireland's Rural Electrification
'Then there was light' is a unique collection from a wide range of contributors recalling their memories and experiences of the Rural Electrification scheme which was rolled from the mid-1940s across Ireland.
The stories provide a valuable snapshot of the time when Ireland left the dark ages as ESB brought light into the midst of even the most remote communities.
This book celebrates the 70th anniversary of the commencement of the Rural Electrification scheme which then ran through the 1950s,'60s and into the 1970s.
The stories provide a valuable snapshot of the time when Ireland left the dark ages as ESB brought light into the midst of even the most remote communities.
This book celebrates the 70th anniversary of the commencement of the Rural Electrification scheme which then ran through the 1950s,'60s and into the 1970s.
248 pages, Paperback
Published September 17, 2016
About the author
P.J. Cunningham
11 books2 followersSee
Phyllis Jean Cunningham
for works on nursing and medical issues.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 15, 2016
A lovely anthology of short stories recalling memories of when electricity was first installed around rural Ireland - memories from different experiences and different points of views. So valuable to Ireland's social history.
October 15, 2018
Lovely book. Enjoyed the variety of stories. A great insight into ordinary lives at a major turning point in history.
September 13, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed dipping into the collection each evening. Memories from men, women and small children, of how the Rural Electrification Scheme which took 30 years to cover the remoter parts of Ireland, changed their lives and districts.
Men got work locally, some then moved on with the work. Posts, digging and holes covered in many stories!
Women found new men coming to the district. Some married them.
Children marvelled, played tricks, two of them tell of climbing the poles with the metal spike shoes.
Districts got divided over who would and who wouldn't.
Families got 'the light' and could see without candles and Tilley lamps.
A child couldn't do her homework, "as the new light blinded me."
Farmers could milk by machine, and power a turnip cutter.
Women could aspire to a washing machine, cooker and fridge.
I also love the language of the day recalled - "a small little nun," "they put conversation on me."
Great photos too. Some of the most interesting for me included poles coming ashore off ships in Donegal. Enjoy.
Men got work locally, some then moved on with the work. Posts, digging and holes covered in many stories!
Women found new men coming to the district. Some married them.
Children marvelled, played tricks, two of them tell of climbing the poles with the metal spike shoes.
Districts got divided over who would and who wouldn't.
Families got 'the light' and could see without candles and Tilley lamps.
A child couldn't do her homework, "as the new light blinded me."
Farmers could milk by machine, and power a turnip cutter.
Women could aspire to a washing machine, cooker and fridge.
I also love the language of the day recalled - "a small little nun," "they put conversation on me."
Great photos too. Some of the most interesting for me included poles coming ashore off ships in Donegal. Enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews