Colloquium 100 years Ardnacrusha

On 4 July 2025 we will hold a one-day colloquium in collaboration with Siemens Ireland and ESB to commemorate 100 years since the passing of the Shannon Electricity Act on 4 July 1925 and the inception of the Shannon hydro-electric power station. The event will explore Irish-German relations of the time, delving into diplomatic, business, engineering, literary, and cultural contexts. Highlights include an exhibition of photographs, memorabilia, and postcards, alongside discussions on the transformative impact of the Shannon Scheme on Ireland’s modernisation, engineering advancements, and Irish-German migration links.

Draft Programme

10 a.m.

Opening – John Moran tbc (Mayor Limerick), Prof Ann Ledwith tbc (Acting Vice-President UL), H.E. David Gill (German Ambassador), Joe Walsh (CEO Siemens) and Prof Gisela Holfter (CIGS)

10.20 a.m. – 11.20 a.m.

Ardnacrusha from an engineering, architecture and marketing perspective – Prof Tom Cosgrove (Engineering), Jan Frohburg (Architecture), Prof Deirdre O’Loughlin (Marketing)

11.20 a.m.

Coffee break

11.40 a.m. – 12.40 p.m.

Literary, artistic and cultural memories & repercussions – Maire Ni Ghrada tbc (Irish), Professor Emeritus Joachim Fischer, Dr Sorcha O’Brien (IADT)

12.40 p.m. – 1.30 p.m.

Lunch (including access to the exhibition on Ardnacrusha in Special Collections, welcome Ciara McCaffrey, Director Glucksman Library and introduction Ken Bergin, Head Special Collection)

1.30 p.m. – 2.30 p.m.

The impact and legacy of Ardnacrusha: Irish-German diplomacy and business then and now – Roundtable with Stefanie Ziska tbc (German-Irish Chamber of Industry & Commerce), Christian Resch (German Embassy), Simon Dauber (Allianz), Joe Walsh and Prof Gisela Holfter

2.30 p.m.

Leaving for Ardnacrusha (bus transport)

3 p.m.

Guided tour of the Ardnacrusha Power Station

Bus returning to UL

Host or Publisher Centre for Irish-German Studies