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RTÉ News
a day ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
ESB Exhibition Celebrates 100 Years of Ardnacrusha
A specially curated exhibition is celebrating the century one of the country's most ambitious engineering projects in Irish history. This month marks 100 years since the Shannon Scheme at Ardnacrusha on the River Shannon brought electricity to rural Ireland, accelerated industrial growth and transformed the economic and social landscape. Unprecedented in scale and ambition,for a time, Ardnacrusha was the largest hydroelectric generating station in the world and remains a landmark of 20th-century engineering. Pioneering in its use of concrete, steel, and cutting-edge turbine technology, it demonstrated the vision and determination of a nation set on shaping its own future. Now, one hundred years later, that legacy is being celebrated in A Bolt out of the Blue, a specially curated exhibition commissioned by the National Built Heritage Service in partnership with ESB, with photographs provided by the Photographic Unit of the National Monuments Service. The EBS describes the centenary as more than a commemoration,saying it is a reminder that the same spirit of ambition and innovation that powered the Shannon Scheme must continue to drive Ireland's energy future. "Ardnacrusha stands as a testament to what can be achieved when vision meets engineering excellence," said Claire Quane, Head of Renewable Operations at ESB. "The Shannon Scheme transformed Ireland in ways that were almost unimaginable in 1925. As we look towards a net zero energy system, we draw inspiration from that same pioneering spirit. The challenges of today demand nothing less." The ESB says the exhibition invites visitors to step into a defining chapter of Irelands past, while reflecting on how its legacy continues to power our future.
Irish Independent
17-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Historic building on Galway's oldest grounds approved for restoration works
The structure, located on Middle Street in the heart of the city, sits on an architectural conservation area and is a registered protected structure with the National Built Heritage Service. The focus of the renovations involves repairs to the chimney stack, facilitating a new roof, and replacing windows and doors throughout. The standing building reflects its historic period with an exposed limestone façade, and a fragment of an upside-down coat of arms dated back to 1590. The current three-story building, constructed in 1820, stands on a site that appears in historical maps as far back as 1583, when the first known map of Galway was drawn. Approval was granted under 13 conditions, including the requirement to hire a Conservation Architect to safeguard the protected structure, and a stipulation that the property remain a 'Principal Private Residence' and never be used as a short-term let. An Taisce submitted a statement expressing concerns about the potential for the site to appear derelict and the significant effort required to restore it as a residential family home. By 1651, maps of Galway showed more detailed illustrations of the growing city, including street layouts and depictions of multi-story buildings with thatched roofs and courtyards. The approximate location of the site is identifiable on these maps. Then in 1855, a residential valuation map shows the site, already built at this time, assessed at mid-value range. The building was likely refurbished in the early-mid20th century as fixtures reflect that time. The ground floor of the building is presently a Podiatry clinic, and the focus of the renovations will be on the residence space on the top floors. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
