The Falls Hotel in Ennistymon is powered by electricity generated from the Inagh river.
Ard na Crusha Power Station, located outside Limerick City, supplies about four per cent of the national electricity needs. Ard na Crush is run entirely by energy by the diversion of the River Shannon. This was the first hydroelectric scheme in the country to obtain the benefits of water power.
Just 30 miles west of Ard na Crusha in Ennistymon County Clare, the Falls Hotel takes most of its energy needs from the nearby Inagh River.
The natural fall of water here has been harnessed by a turbine which was installed in 1958 at a cost of a hundred pounds.
Since its installation, the turbine has been supplying about £25 worth of electricity every day.
The owner of The Falls Hotel, John Wood, has had a personal interest in energy generation and the turbine provides him with enough energy to power the hotel.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 4 April 1979. The reporter is Kevin O'Connor.
