Umair Gaines
The history of electricity in Ireland dates back to 1880, when the first public electric street lamp was installed in Dublin. However, it wasn't until the 1920s that the Irish government began to establish a unified national electricity service, with the creation of the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) in 1927 and the development of the Shannon Scheme, which included the construction of a hydroelectric plant at Ardnacrusha in County Clare. The Rural Electrification Scheme, established after World War II, aimed to bring electricity to rural communities across the country. By the 1960s, 80% of rural households had access to electricity, and by 1978, over one million Irish homes and businesses were connected to the ESB network. County Mayo, in particular, saw the development of wind power in the 1990s, with the construction of the country's first wind farm at Bellacorick, and the area was also one of the last places in Ireland to receive electricity, with Ballycroy being connected in 1964.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date when Ballycroy, County Mayo got electricity | April 1964 |
| Date when the Rural Electrification Scheme began | 1946 |
| Percentage of rural households connected to electricity by 1965 | 80% |
| Year when the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) was established | 1927 |
| Year when the Rural Electrification Scheme connected over 1 million homes and businesses to the ESB network | 1978 |
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What You'll Learn
- Ballycroy, County Mayo was the last place in Ireland to get electricity in 1964
- The Rural Electrification Scheme (1946) and the Electricity Supply Amendment Act (1955) helped to electrify rural communities
- The Shannon Scheme (1929) and the Rural Electrification Scheme (1946) connected over one million homes by 1978
- The first public electric street lamp in Ireland was installed in 1880
- The country's first wind farm was built in Bellacorrick, County Mayo in 1992
Ballycroy, County Mayo was the last place in Ireland to get electricity in 1964
The arrival of electricity in Ireland was a gradual process that began in the 1920s and continued well into the 1960s. The first phase of rural electrification began in 1946, with the first pole erected in Kilsallaghan, north Co Dublin, and the first lights switched on in Oldtown, Co Dublin, in January 1947.
Ballycroy, County Mayo, was the last place in Ireland to receive electricity in the first phase of electrification. It wasn't until April 1964, 17 years after Oldtown, that Ballycroy was connected. The delay was due to economics; the area was sparsely populated, with only about seven houses per square mile, and the ESB deemed the cost of extending supply to the area too high.
The people of Ballycroy were keenly aware of their lack of electricity. In July 1957, the parish priest wrote to the Rural Electrification Office expressing his deep interest in bringing electricity to the parish. Local politicians also lobbied for electrification, with parliamentary questions asked in 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960, and 1963.
When Ballycroy finally received electricity, it was thanks to a 100% subsidy. The arrival of electricity in Ballycroy marked the end of the first phase of the Rural Electric Scheme, a massive project that required over 1 million poles and 78,754km of wire. By the time the first phase ended in 1965, over 300,000 homes had been connected.
The electrification of Ireland had a profound impact on the country, transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. It made farming and household tasks easier, reduced social isolation, and paved the way for the economic boom of the 1990s.
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The Rural Electrification Scheme (1946) and the Electricity Supply Amendment Act (1955) helped to electrify rural communities
The Rural Electrification Scheme and the Electricity Supply Amendment Act were pivotal in bringing electricity to rural communities in County Mayo and beyond. The scheme, launched in 1946, aimed to electrify rural Ireland, transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and reducing social isolation. The first pole of the scheme was erected in Kilsallaghan, north County Dublin, in November 1946, with the first lights switched on in Oldtown, County Dublin, in January 1947.
Prior to electrification, daily life in rural Ireland was a struggle. Farm work was done by hand and in daylight. Water was drawn from wells, cooking was done over open fires, food spoilage was common due to the lack of refrigeration, and washing clothes and using the toilet were primitive. The arrival of electricity brought profound changes, from lighting and refrigeration to powering agricultural equipment and domestic appliances.
The Rural Electrification Scheme was a massive undertaking, requiring over a million poles and 78,754 kilometres of wire. The Electricity Supply Board (ESB), established in 1927, played a central role in the scheme's implementation. The ESB worked closely with local clergy to promote the benefits of electrification and encourage sign-ups. However, the uptake was not universal, with some resisting change and others concerned about the potential fire risk to thatched roofs.
The scheme was heavily subsidised, but connection fees and future bills posed financial challenges for many. "Uneconomic acceptance" was a term used to describe situations where connections were declined due to financial constraints, highlighting the widespread rural poverty at the time. Despite these challenges, the scheme successfully brought electricity to rural areas, with Ballycroy in County Mayo being the last place in the country to receive electricity.
The Electricity Supply Amendment Act of 1955 further bolstered the electrification efforts. This legislation, along with the Rural Electrification Scheme, ensured that the electricity network reached even the most remote and isolated communities in Ireland. By 1970, 46% of Ireland's installed generation capacity was from indigenous sources (peat and hydro), with the remainder being oil-based. The Rural Electrification Act also underwent amendments over the years to include provisions for telephone connections and rural broadband access.
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The Shannon Scheme (1929) and the Rural Electrification Scheme (1946) connected over one million homes by 1978
The Shannon Scheme and the Rural Electrification Scheme were monumental in bringing electricity to over a million homes and businesses across Ireland by 1978. The Shannon Scheme, established in 1929, was the first fully integrated national electricity service in the world. It was a prestigious project for the newly formed Irish government, which aimed to bring power to towns and cities nationwide. The project was a collaboration between the Irish government and the German company Siemens, with a budget of £5.1 million, amounting to 20% of Ireland's national revenue at the time. The construction of the hydroelectric station at Shannon involved 4,000 Irish and 1,000 German workers and resulted in the successful generation and transmission of electricity across Ireland.
However, rural communities in Ireland continued to face challenges in accessing electricity. The Second World War, during which coal was rationed, delayed the progress of electrification in these areas. It was not until the Rural Electrification Scheme was initiated in 1946 that electricity began to reach the most remote and isolated communities. This scheme, heavily subsidised by the government, required householders to pay a connection fee and bear the cost of wiring their homes before being connected. Despite this, the Rural Electrification Scheme transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, making farming and household tasks easier and reducing social isolation.
The process of electrification under this scheme was extensive, requiring the erection of over one million poles and the use of 78,754 kilometres of wire. The first pole of the Rural Electrification Scheme was installed on November 5, 1946, in Kilsallaghan, North County Dublin, and the first lights were switched on in January 1947 in Oldtown, County Dublin. Despite these advancements, some areas of Ireland, such as Ballycroy in County Mayo, remained without electricity until as late as 1964 due to economic factors and the high costs of connection.
The Rural Electrification Scheme continued its work until 1970, by which time 46% of Ireland's installed generation capacity was from indigenous sources (peat and hydro), with the remaining 54% still dependent on oil. The success of these schemes in connecting over a million homes and businesses to the electricity network by 1978 marked a significant milestone in Ireland's journey towards universal electrification and improved living standards for its citizens.
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The first public electric street lamp in Ireland was installed in 1880
The history of electricity in Ireland dates back to 1880 when the first public electric street lamp was installed outside the offices of the Freeman's Journal on Prince's Street in Dublin. The same year, the Dublin Electric Light Company was formed to provide public street lighting from coal-fired power plants.
In the early years of electricity in Ireland, there was no single utility company responsible for the generation and transmission of power. In 1922, there were 130 public electric supply schemes operating in the country, alongside several private schemes. Various sources were used to generate electricity, including hydro, coal, peat, gas from coal gasification, and wind power.
In 1925, the Irish government accepted a proposal to dam the River Shannon and build a hydroelectric power station at Ardnacrusha in County Clare. The Shannon Water and Electricity Power Act was passed, and the project was completed in July 1929. This marked the beginning of a unified electricity network in Ireland, with the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) established in 1927 to manage and distribute electricity countrywide.
However, rural electrification in Ireland faced significant delays due to the Second World War. It wasn't until the Rural Electrification Scheme was launched in 1946 that electricity began to reach the most isolated communities. The first pole of this scheme was raised in Kilsallaghan, north County Dublin, and the first lights were switched on in January 1947 in Oldtown, County Dublin.
Despite these advancements, many rural areas in Ireland remained without electricity well into the 1950s and beyond. Ballycroy, County Mayo, for example, was the last place in the country to receive electricity. Economic factors, such as connection fees and future bills, played a significant role in the slow adoption of electricity in these regions, highlighting the widespread rural poverty at the time.
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$15.99
The country's first wind farm was built in Bellacorrick, County Mayo in 1992
The history of electricity in County Mayo, Ireland, is a long and complex one. The region has played a significant role in the development of wind power in the country.
In 1992, the country's first wind farm was built in Bellacorrick, County Mayo. This marked a pivotal moment in Ireland's transition towards renewable energy sources. Bellacorick, a townland in County Mayo, was identified as one of the best wind farm sites in the country due to its ideal geographical characteristics. The site boasts a mean annual wind speed of 7.28 m/s at a height of 30 meters, with a south-westerly prevailing wind direction. The flat, open terrain results in minimal loss or turbulence, making it optimal for wind energy extraction.
The Bellacorick wind farm project, funded by the European Commission under the VALOREN program, consisted of 21 Nordtank turbines with a combined capacity of 6.45 MW. This initial demonstration project set the stage for Ireland's wind power industry to flourish over the subsequent three decades. By the end of 2015, the country's installed wind power capacity had reached 2455 MW, contributing significantly to national electricity demand.
The Bellacorick wind farm is owned and operated by Renewable Energy Ireland, with Bord na Mona as a major shareholder. The farm has environmental benefits, avoiding the production of substantial amounts of sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxides, and carbon dioxide annually. Additionally, the nearby thermal power station is linked to the National Electricity Grid, further enhancing the site's strategic importance in energy distribution.
County Mayo has continued to be a leader in wind energy development in Ireland. In 2021, Bord na Móna and ESB secured financing for the €150 million Oweninny wind farm project in north County Mayo. This project builds upon the success of the Bellacorick wind farm and reinforces the region's commitment to clean energy and sustainability.
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Frequently asked questions
Ballycroy, County Mayo, was the last place in Ireland to get electricity in April 1964.
The Rural Electrification Scheme 1946 was a massive project that required over 1 million poles to be erected with 78,754km of wire. By 1965, 80% of rural households were connected to the electricity supply.
The connection fee in 1978 was a deposit of £107 plus 30 payments of £15.69 – a total of £577.70.
