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Ardnacrusha Tours

The tours are finished for 2019.

We hope to run the tours again in 2020 so please check back for further information.   

Looking for an exciting and informative experience?  Why not visit Ireland's largest river hydroelectric scheme? Following the phenomenal interest in last year’s tours, Ardnacrusha Power Station will again open this summer. We are inviting school groups and the public to visit and explore one of Ireland's greatest engineering developments at Ardnacrusha Power Station in Co Clare. 

 

ESB is highlighting to the public through its Brighter Future Strategy, the critical role electricity has played in enhancing Irish life since the construction of Ireland’s first power station at Ardnacrusha over 90 years ago and how ESB is leading the secure, affordable transition to a low-carbon energy future for Ireland.

As part of the Shannon hydro-electric scheme, Ardnacrusha took just four years (1925 to 1929) and 5,000 workers to build. Costing more than IR£5m to construct at the time - almost one-fifth of the entire annual budget - Ardnacrusha became a symbol of forward thinking in relation to harnessing Ireland’s natural resources. With the national grid constructed at the same time, the 86 MW capacity was then enough to meet the electricity demands of the whole country. Today, Ardnacrusha represents around 2% of our total installed capacity.

Everyone is welcomed to the Ardnacrusha Experience at the newly refurbished visitors’ centre before going out on site to view the impressive headrace canal, locks and tailrace. Once inside the station, the living heritage of Shannon Scheme is brought to life through a series of animations which celebrate the history and impact of this iconic project. Visitors are given access to the very heart of the station with unique views of the turbine hall and a visit to the original control room. The guided tours can accommodate groups of up to 30 people and runs for approximately 90 minutes.

  • You will be required to wear Personal Protection Equipment (Hi-vis jacket; safety hat; safety glasses). These will be provided for visitors at the plant.   
    While every effort has been made to make the tour as accessible as possible there are a number of inaccessible areas to be aware of:
    There are 86 steps to be negotiated up to the headrace canal, locks and tailrace and will not suit wheelchair users or anyone with mobility difficulties.
    The Visitors Centre and Main Station are accessible to wheelchair users albeit the space can be narrow.However, the Control Room is not accessible.
    In relation to people with hearing or visual impairment there are parts of the exhibition which is not accessible but still an enjoyable experience.
    If you have a particular requirement please notify the booking office at least three weeks in advance.

Worksheet Level 2 Team A (PDF | 706 KB)

Worksheet Level 2 Team B (PDF | 891 KB)

Worksheet Level 2 Team C (PDF | 760 KB)

 

Worksheet Level 2 Team D (PDF | 432 KB)

 

 

 

 

Terms and conditions

Visitors to the station are only allowed in those areas which are designated for visitor/public access.

Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times. 

Children visiting on a school tour are the responsibility of accompany teaching and support staff while on site.

Instructions given by tour guides or station staff must be followed at all times.

Where protective equipment (e.g. hard hat) is provided, this must be worn where instructed by the tour guide/station staff.

In the event of an emergency (including a fire drill), follow the instructions of the tour guide/station staff and remain in the meeting point until allowed to leave.

Elements of the tour may be cancelled without prior notice for Health and safety reasons.

Please do not drop litter on the site; please use bins provided.

ESB does not accept responsibility for personal property left or mislaid at the station.

Data Protection

The tour operator may take photography or recordings, where written consent has been obtained.  This data will be used for publicity and statistical purposes, and will be deleted no later than 1st October 2020.

ESB will retain visitor data (names, dates, times) for health and safety, legal and statistical purposes. This data will be deleted when no longer required.

ESB’s privacy notice is available here