New book celebrates the Tipperary workers who powered Ardnacrusha’s legacy

Tipperary electricians, fitters and general operatives are featured in a new book that unveils the remarkable lives of those who built and operated Ardnacrusha power station for the first time.

"Powerful People" captures the human dimension of Ardnacrusha - the voices, sacrifices, and triumphs of 32 workers who made Ireland's most ambitious engineering project a reality.

Published by Banner Books, it is written by Clare Champion journalist Dan Danaher who has highlighted issues affecting Ballina/Killaloe and Lough Derg for more than two decades.

In his foreword, President Michael D Higgins described it as "a work that gathers together the stories of those who laboured with dedication, courage and quiet dignity in the service of one of the most transformative projects in the history of our State".

It features Mick Mackey, the legendary Limerick hurler, who served as a van driver for 47 years, while his sons Pat and Michael who also worked at the station.

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Seàn Creamer joined the ESB in 1966 at the age of 16, a young man from Portroe fresh out of school in Nenagh, navigating a world of high voltage, heavy machinery and even heavier responsibility.

"Looking back, I hadn't a clue what I was stepping into, but I knew it mattered. You grew up in a place like Ardnacrusha. You arrive as a raw young lad and leave with a head full of stories and a heart full of gratitude," he said.

From maintenance work along the Shannon to summers spent upriver in Portumna, from drama competitions to dodging curfews during block release, Seán's story captures an ESB era now gone - but fondly remembered by all who lived it.

Seán knew Mick Mackey well, having enjoyed several car journeys with him when Mackey worked as a company driver, making trips to the smaller 5-megawatt stations in Miltown Malbay and Screebe.

“When Mackey was driving a crew of workers from Ardnacrusha to Eyrecourt in Galway on a Monday morning, he might stop off in a Borrisokane hotel or a bar for a cup of tea and light refreshments around 10.30.

"Word would quickly spread that Mick Mackey was in the hotel and a large crowd would gather to go in and shake hands with him. If he had wanted a free drink, it would have easily been provided for him.
"He had the same attraction as Messi,” he recalled.

Dónal Ó Riain, who was born in Tipperary town, followed in the footsteps of his father, Paddy, who worked on the Shannon Scheme and cycled 27 miles every weekend to Emly in Tipperary.

Having started as a labourer on the Shannon Scheme in 1925, Paddy worked in Ardnacrusha power station, finishing up in the electrical stores department before his retirement in 1960.

Dan Hickey’s story is etched into the fabric of both Na Piarsaigh, Limerick GAA and the ESB.
His father, David Hickey worked on the Shannon Scheme before moving to Toem near Cappawhite in Tipperary, where Dan was born in 1936.

Dan went to Cahernahallia National School, a small rural school, which has now been converted into a dwelling house. After joining the ESB as an apprentice electrician in Ardnacrusha, he was promoted to a human resources post in the seventies.

Sean Treacy, who was born Kilcommin near Rearcross went from apprentice fitter to national union organiser in the National Engineering and Electrical Trade Union (NEETU)from 1990 to 2009, serving on several national union executive committees.
In 1960, the principal of Newport Vocation School, Dan Cotter, helped to secure mechanical fitter apprenticeship with the ESB as a 16-year-old.

Martin Barry was born just outside Tipperary town on November 4, 1949 and attended a technical school before joining Ardnacrusha Power Station as a 15 year-old.

After working for almost 25 years in the transformer workshop, he moved into maintenance at the station until his retirement in 2014, a week into his 50th year.

Readers can meet ESB diver John McEvoy who worked underwater by touch in the dark, Eddie Storan who remained in the control room during bomb blast evacuations in the seventies, and US navy trainee Danny Boland who experienced several highs and lows during his colourful career.

Former ESB press officer, Bernie Healy who worked in war and storm zones met her husband during a trip to Pakistan.
Orla Griffin became the lead civil engineer for the €50 Synchronous Condenser (SC) project in Moneypoint.
In his book review, acclaimed Ballina/Killaloe-based author David Rice, calls it "a wonderful superbly illustrated book".

"Such an easily read book, so full of human stories and of the value of courage, hope and determination, leading to such achievement, comes at a crucial time for Ireland—faced, this time, not with the need to harness a river, but to harness our wind and our sunlight for the coming century."

Signed copies may be purchased directly from the author costing €25 or for €30 by post, Text or WhatsApp Dan on 087 2289192 or email ddanaher'@clarechampion.ie