Inishmore Electricity Supply

Connecting the Islands

We are currently researching electricity connections to Ireland’s islands. We will continue to add connection dates to our database as we gather more information. If you have information on a particular island that you would like to share, please contact esbarchives@esb.ie. The information below provides an overview of the supply of electricity to Ireland’s islands.… Continue Reading


April covers of ESB Journal

View a selection of April covers 1959-1970, from our staff magazine ESB Journal ESB Journal is available to view as part of our online vintage newspaper library open to ESB retired staff. Please visit https://esbarchives.ie/vintage-esb-newspapers/ April 1959: Lanesboro’ Generating Station with the River Shannon and part of Lough Ree in the background.April 1960: Our cover photograph was submitted by… Continue Reading


March covers of ESB Journal

View a selection of March covers 1959-1970, from our staff magazine ESB Journal ESB Journal is available to view as part of our online vintage newspaper library open to ESB retired staff. Please visit https://esbarchives.ie/vintage-esb-newspapers/ March 1959.Carrier frequency telephone coupling equipment to 110 KV Transmission lines at Lough Allen, Arigna, ESB Journal, March 1959. march 1960, Rural Electrification,… Continue Reading


Portarlington Peat Station, c.1950

Extract of dramatisation featuring a fictional young local farmer fascinated by the new peat generation station at Portarlington, Co. Laois.


Christmas artwork

A selection of Christmas-themed artwork by ESB staff from the ESB Journal.


Connecting Mayo to the national grid

Electricity in the county before ESB Mayo had electricity before the establishment of ESB in 1927. ESB’s annual reports record 10 local electricity suppliers in the county — that means 10 individuals or companies who had permits to commercially supply electricity to 3 or more homes and businesses in their local area. The reports do… Continue Reading


Connecting Ireland to the National Grid 1927—1978: Note on sources & explanation of terms.

We provide below an explanation of the field Information displayed on our map/database and where it was sourced from. Location: Location refers to either a city, town, suburb, village, ESB rural area, island* or ESB generation station connected to the grid between 1927 and 1978. County: The county of the above location. Note, a small… Continue Reading


Connecting Carlow

Electricity in the county before ESB Carlow had electricity before the establishment of ESB in 1927. ESB’s annual reports record 4 local electricity suppliers in the county — that means 4 individuals or companies who had permits to commercially supply electricity to 3 or more homes and businesses in their local area. The reports do… Continue Reading