A Bolt out of The Blue – 100 Years of Modernist Architecture at Ardnacrusha
August 1925 saw the signing of contracts between the Irish Free State and the German-based firm Siemens-Schuckert for the construction of a hydroelectric generating station on the River Shannon. Known as the “Shannon Scheme”, it was to deliver the electrification of rural Ireland and accelerate the social, economic and industrial development of the country. Attracting both national and international attention, it was the first significant civil engineering project undertaken by the then recently formed Irish government and briefly held the title of largest hydroelectric generating station in the world.
A protected structure of national importance, Ardnacrusha’s construction made pioneering use of concrete and steel. The exterior was given a Germanic architectural effect in deference to the contractors while the interior was equipped with the latest technology to harness the power of the River Shannon.
Now one hundred years on, the enduring significance of the Shannon Scheme has been recognised in A Bolt out of The Blue, a specially curated exhibition commissioned by the National Built Heritage Service in partnership with ESB, with photographs by the Photographic Unit of the National Monuments Service.
Using light and shade, and emphasising perspective and scale, the exhibition is designed to challenge our perception of modern architecture and the artistic potential of industrial design.
A Bolt Out of The Blue runs from 15th August to 5th September 2025. The exhibition is part of the free guided tours of Ardnacrusha Power Station which must be pre-booked via the ESB website
