The ESB's Shannon Scheme yesterday joined the ranks of world recognised engineering feats when it received two international awards, writes Brian McLaughlin, in Limerick
The Milestone and the Landmark awards are given to engineering projects which have made a significant contribution to society. Previous winners include the invention of colour television, the space shuttle, Japan's bullet train - which all got the Milestone Award - and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Panama Canal, which received the Landmark Award.
The awards ceremony at the generating station in Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, marked the beginning of the ESB's 75th anniversary celebrations. The Milestone Award was presented jointly to the ESB and Siemens, which constructed the Shannon scheme, by the US-based Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. It recognises the scale of the project and how it became a model for large-scale electrification schemes world-wide. The Landmark award was presented by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Michael Ahern, said the scheme was providing "green" energy to the country three-quarters of a century after its construction.
The chief executive of the ESB, Mr Pádraig McManus, said: "These awards are very coveted and therefore it is a matter of great pride to the ESB and Siemens that we have been selected for these particular honours. It is a huge tribute to the staff both past and present in our organisations.
"The Shannon Scheme is much more than a wonderful engineering breakthrough, it is a realisation of a dream, the material legacy of a vision and in some ways a monument to the pioneering spirit which built this nation. It incorporates brilliant conceptual design, real professionalism and dedication in terms of the execution of that design, hard and often painstaking work in the severest of conditions.
"Visions and dreams are realised by extraordinary people who can see beyond the usual framework," Mr McManus said.
The managing director of Siemens, Mr Richard Crowe, said: "Most historians acknowledge that it provided the platform for the economic, industrial and social development of the country."
A book The Shannon Scheme outlining its history was launched by broadcaster John Bowman and a gala dinner was held last night in Knappogue Castle.
The project took four years to develop, from 1925 to 1929, and it cost £5½ million to build. During construction, 5,000 men were employed and 60 miles of railway and four bridges were built.