Dignitaries, academics, and industry professionals from Ireland and abroad have gathered at University of Limerick to commemorate the centenary of the Shannon Electricity Act and the beginning of work on the Shannon hydro-electric power station at Ardnacrusha.
The Centre for Irish-German Studies (CIGS) at UL welcomed guests to campus for a colloquium marking 100 years of this “pivotal moment in Irish history”.
Guests including Minister of State Timmy Dooley, TD; John Moran, Mayor of Limerick; His Excellency, David Gill, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany; Aiden Cawley, Siemens Ireland; and Sean Hegarty, ESB were in attendance for the day-long, booked-out event. Many in the audience had family ties to the Shannon Scheme, including Angela Drescher and Sabine Bondzin, who travelled from Berlin to Limerick for the event and are granddaughters of German engineer Paul Müller, who worked for Siemens in Ireland during the 1920s.
Organised in collaboration with Siemens Ireland and ESB, the event explored the rich tapestry of Irish-German relations during the 1920s and the enduring legacy of this landmark engineering project.
Speakers on the day presented on topics across the diplomatic, business, engineering, historical, literary and cultural dimensions of the Shannon Scheme. Attendees were also invited to view an exhibition in the Special Collections and Archives Department at UL’s Glucksman Library, featuring maps, photography, postcards and lithographs relating to Ardnacrusha and its surrounds in the early 20th century.
The event culminated in a guided tour of Ardnacrusha Power Station.
Professor Gisela Holfter, Director of CIGS at UL, who organised the colloquium, said: “The Shannon Scheme was an extremely important and ambitious project, and it continues to capture the imagination today. It was wonderful to look at it from so many different perspectives with experts in their respective fields. This colloquium not only commemorated a pivotal moment in Irish history but also celebrated the enduring partnership between Ireland and Germany in engineering, culture, and diplomacy.”
Joe Walsh, General Manager of Siemens Ireland, added: “We are proud to collaborate with the Centre for Irish-German Studies and ESB in advancing Ireland's energy transition while deepening the cultural ties between Ireland and Germany. The Shannon Scheme was a testament to how transformative technology can shape a nation’s future. A century later, as we face new energy challenges, this legacy reminds us that innovative engineering and international collaboration remain crucial drivers of progress. Through today’s digital technologies and sustainable solutions, we continue to build upon this historic partnership between our two nations.”
Sean Hegarty, ESB, spoke of the enduring and important legacy of the Shannon Scheme in Ireland.
“ESB was established in 1927 to operate the Shannon Scheme and distribute the electricity nationwide. The legacy of the scheme is still very present for us today as ESB drives towards the goal of a secure, decarbonised electricity system by 2040. It represents the potential of Ireland’s natural resources to supply renewable energy, the power of electrification to enable progress, and the monumental things that can be achieved when we work together to deliver our ambitions.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Centre for Irish-German Studies and Siemens on this event exploring these important themes and celebrating the partnerships that made it possible.”