The Shannon Scheme

The Shannon Hydro-Electric Scheme was introduced as a means of using the power of the River Shannon to generate electricity. The scheme involved building a generating station at Ardnacrusha and a weir at Parteen. A budget of £5.1 million was allocated to the project – 20% of Ireland’s national revenue for that time.
The station was officially opened and began to generate power on the national network in 1929. The scheme was a huge success, providing cheap and abundant electricity for the Irish people for the first time. However, it had a terrible impact on the fishing industry in our twin towns.
Prior to 1929, Killaloe was one of the most famous angling resorts in Europe and the industry brought thousands of anglers to the many hotels that were once here. The salmon and trout fishing was the main attraction. Up to this time, the river was fast flowing with rocks, ledges and deep pools. As a result of the Shannon Scheme, the river was dammed and water was diverted to the power station at Ardnacrusha along an artificial, purpose-built canal.

If you wish, you can now take a short detour at this point to visit St. Molua’s (or St. Lua’s) Oratory which is located beside St. Flannan’s Catholic Church. The site is marked on the accompanying map.

This oratory was moved from a small island in the River Shannon and rebuilt in its current location, as it would have been submerged as a result of the damming of the river in connection with the Shannon Hydro-Electric Scheme.
You will learn more about this island at the final stop on this tour.