When the Shannon Scheme was under construction in the late 1920s, many of its opponents argued that it would be a ‘white elephant’, producing electricity that would never be used. Of course, within years, these critics were proved wrong as demand for electricity grew so much that ESB had to construct additional hydro schemes at… Continue Reading
Europe at Work – Ardnacrusha Memories Virtual Collection Days hosted by the Hunt Museum
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… Continue Reading
Switched on, Plugged in, 1989
Educational documentary produced for ESB explaining the technical aspects of electricity generation and distribution and the contribution of ESB to Irish society.
Moneypoint Power From Coal, 1985
Documentary detailing the construction and engineering milestones of Moneypoint Generation Station, Co. Clare, ESB’s first major coal burning generating station.
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.
Turlough Hill, Workers Accounts, 1972
Film on the construction of Turlough Hill looking at the design, engineering and technical skills and social aspect.
Turlough Hill, Peak Power, 1975
Film documents the construction of Turlough Hill which took six years to build, at a cost of £21million.
Poolbeg, Story of a Generation Station, 1977
Documentary detailing the planning and construction of the oil fired power station at Poolbeg, Dublin
Visitors to Turlough Hill 1973
Photos of visitors to the construction site of our unique pumped-storage hydroelectric station in the Wicklow mountains.
An overview of the Shannon Scheme
The construction of the Shannon Hydro-Electric Scheme at Ardnacrusha, Co Clare was one of the most important under-takings for the economic and social life of Ireland...
Cahirciveen Power Station
On 22nd October, 1957, the Cahirciveen power station was brought into operation in Co. Kerry. After the end of World War II, the Irish Government committed to an extensive programme of bog development to be overseen by Bord na Móna. Four identical turf burning stations were built at Gweedore, Screeb, Miltown Malbay and Cahirciveen, at… Continue Reading
Constructing Rhode Station, 1958
View photo gallery of the cooling tower construction crew