Ardnacrusha Attractions
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For visitors who have hired a boat the trip down the Shannon ends at Killaloe. Boat owners can go farther, though sailing lower down the Shannon is considered difficult and hazardous. For the next 18mi/29km the river, which, hitherto has been fairly sluggish, falls rapidly.
At Ardnacrusha (Hill of the Cross) there is a huge hydroelectric power station built in 1925-29, with a dam at Parteen, a head race 8.5mi/14km long bringing the water to the power station, four turbines and two locks. This first and largest of Ireland's power station produces some 350,000,000kwh of electricity annually. It is an impressive experience to visit the power station; the approach by road from Limerick or Killaloe is along the north bank of the Shannon. In the huge locks boats are raised and lowered more than 100ft/30m. There is also a fish-lift in which fish - mainly salmon - are raised in three hours to the upper canal (the headrace). Below Ardnacrusha the waters streaming out of the turbines are led into the river at a point where it is already tidal.
At Ardnacrusha (Hill of the Cross) there is a huge hydroelectric power station built in 1925-29, with a dam at Parteen, a head race 8.5mi/14km long bringing the water to the power station, four turbines and two locks. This first and largest of Ireland's power station produces some 350,000,000kwh of electricity annually. It is an impressive experience to visit the power station; the approach by road from Limerick or Killaloe is along the north bank of the Shannon. In the huge locks boats are raised and lowered more than 100ft/30m. There is also a fish-lift in which fish - mainly salmon - are raised in three hours to the upper canal (the headrace). Below Ardnacrusha the waters streaming out of the turbines are led into the river at a point where it is already tidal.
