ESB and Group Water Schemes

ESB has always been invested in improving the quality of Irish daily life. Today, ESB connects approximately 2.4 million homes and businesses to electricity throughout the country. However, ESB’s impact extends beyond just providing power, as is demonstrated by its role in Group Water Schemes (GWS) in Ireland, established to ensure a reliable and sustainable… Continue Reading


Power to Rural No 1

A new book tells the story of Oldtown, the first village to be electrified under the Rural Electrification Scheme. In 2022, the Oldtown Community Council organised a number of events to mark the 75 years since Oldtown became the first village connected by the Rural Electrification Scheme. The North Co Dublin village was part of… Continue Reading


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


Power for Prosperity, 1963

Film chronicles the development and impact of ESB and electricity in Ireland from the Shannon Scheme in 1927 to the 1960s.


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