THIS coming December marks 100 years since electricity first came to Ardara, and plans are underway to celebrate this important chapter in the town’s history.
Donegal GAP Heritage and History Group are calling on people at home and away to help tell the story of Ardara’s pioneering hydro-electric scheme ahead of its upcoming centenary celebrations.
The programme of events, entitled ‘1926 – The Coming of Light to Ardara’, is being coordinated by Donegal GAP Heritage and History Group.
It will celebrate the centenary of the arrival of electric light in Ardara and explore the fascinating history of the Ardara Electric Light Company (officially known as the Ardara Woolen and Industrial Company Ltd.), which operated a hydro-electric scheme on the Abhainn tSocair (Owentocker River) from 1926 to 1952.
The scheme was a remarkable example of local enterprise and ingenuity, bringing electricity to Ardara at a time when many rural communities across Ireland were still without electric light.
What makes the story particularly interesting is how the company was run. Throughout its 26 years of operation, electricity charges were never increased, no ground rent was charged, and no customer was disconnected for failing to pay their bill.
The company also found clever ways to overcome the challenges of generating electricity from water.
In the early 1930s, periods of drought meant there was not always enough water flowing through the Owentocker River. The solution was to build a dam to raise the water level of Loch Abhainn Fhia (Owenea Lough), which fed a tributary flowing into the Owentocker.
Local families in the Gleann Domhain (Glendowan) area were given the job of opening the dam gates to release water into the river when needed.
These are just some of the stories that Donegal GAP Heritage and History Group hopes to explore during the centenary celebrations, recognising both the achievement of bringing electricity to Ardara in 1926 and the people who kept the scheme operating until 1952.
Appeal for stories and memorabilia
The group is now appealing to the public for old photographs, documents, electricity bills, artefacts, family stories and memories connected with the Ardara Electric Light Company and the Owentocker scheme.
They are particularly keen to speak with anyone whose parents, grandparents or other relatives worked on the scheme or were involved in its operation, as well as
those who remember it themselves or recall stories being told about it.
A spokesperson for Donegal GAP Heritage and History Group said: “This is a fascinating part of Ardara’s history, and we are sure there are families out there with stories, photographs, documents or memories that have never been recorded.
“We’d particularly love to hear from anyone with a family connection to the scheme, whether they worked at the power station, helped with the water supply or were involved in the company in any way.
“Even a small piece of information or an old photograph could help us tell the story. We want to make sure the people behind this remarkable local venture are remembered.”
The ‘1926 – Coming of Light to Ardara’ events will take place on Friday and Saturday, December 4 and 5 and will include an ecumenical service of light, an exhibition and an oíche airneáil.
The programme will celebrate the centenary of the arrival of electric light in Ardara, while also remembering the people, ingenuity and community spirit behind the Ardara Electric Light Company throughout its 26 years of operation.
The celebrations will help preserve an important part of the area’s heritage and local history for future generations.
Full programme details will be announced shortly.
Anyone with stories, photographs, documents or artefacts to share is encouraged to contact Donegal GAP Heritage and History Group by Friday, November 20.
Contact: Donegal GAP Heritage and History Group. Email: [email protected]. Phone: 087 9214206.