HISTORY LECTURE
Wednesday March 10 2010
Historian Michael McCarthy gave a most eloquent presentation to Rathdrum Historical Society recently on the development of the Hydro Electric Shannon Scheme and the construction of Ardnacrusha Power Station in Co. Clare.
He told the large attendance that this was a major engineering feat which started in 1925 and was completed four years later. The German Engineering Company Siemons were the contractors and 800 germans were employed on the scheme who were joined by 5,000 Irish workers. This came at a time when employment was very scarce in Ireland. The wages were £3.25p for a 50 hour week.
The scheme came to a standstill for a long period due to a trade dispute and there were also fears of attack from various fractions who were still active after the Civil War. Living conditions for workers left a lot to be desired as did health and safety. Up to 50 employees lost their lives during construction, this included a number of Germans who were lost off a boat bringing machinery to the Co. Clare development.
The thousand acres flooded for the Power Station was acquired by compulsory purchase which disrupted many families around Cloncara, O'Brien's Bridge and surrounding areas and to add insult to injury they had great difficulty getting paid for their land.
The project cost a total of five and a half million pounds and it was generally felt that the company made no money from the project but it earned them a big reputation round the world.
Mr. McCarthy, who is a native patron in Co. Clare, told the attendance that the Ardnacrusha Power Station is a beautiful structure and worthy of a visit. Unfortunately the Station only produces 1% of our electricity requirements and its future is in some doubt.
Michael McCarthy who now resides in Avoca retired from R.T.E. where he worked as a producer/director for a number of years. He complimented his talk with a splendid power-point presentation and he has also written a book on this subject entitled"High Tension".
