The Hunt Museum, Limerick in collaboration with ESB Archives, Europeana, EuropeanExpo2020 are hosting virtual collection days to collect stories, personal archives, objects and memorabilia about the Shannon Hydro-Electric Scheme at Ardnacrusha, Co. Clare.

Jill Cousins, Director of the Hunt Museum said,

“We are asking anyone with connections to the Shannon Scheme at Ardnacrusha and their descendents to dig out the memorabilia they have of the experience and tell us the accompanying stories. They, or their relatives, may have been involved in the building of the dam, or involved in the set-up, or worked in the power station”.

Objects might be photos, diaries, letters, drawings, tools used, clothing. The personal archives and objects collected become part of ‘Europe At Work’ a collection of stories and digital objects about working in Europe made available to all on the Europeana website.

Normally, Europeana collection days take place in cultural institutions where stories are recorded and associated materials are photographed but with the current need for social distancing and staying at home, people will now be able to share their material online or work with a volunteer from the Hunt Museum using FaceTime, WhatsApp, Hangouts, Skype or telephone to record their stories.

The Hunt Museum will start calling people who have contacted them directly from early May.

If you or someone you know would like to take part please contact:

Rosemarie@huntmuseum.com

Tel : 087 7912337

Europe@Work – https://contribute.europeana.eu/europe-at-work

Hunt Museum www.huntmuseum.com 

It is hoped to host a physical collection day and lunchtime lecture on the Shannon Scheme with Deirdre McParland, Senior Archivist, ESB Archives on Saturday 26th September 2020.

Press release available here