Geograph - photograph every grid square

This eight mile long canal feeds water from Lough Derg to the power station at Adrnachrusha, diverting most of the flow of the Shannon from its original channel. Started in 1925 it was complete in 1929 and provided most of the electricity needed in Ireland - it largely started the electrification of Ireland. When built by the German firm Siemens it was the largest power station in the world, generating 85 MW. The drop in level is only about 28 metres, but there is a large flow of water available. See "The building of the Shannon hydroelectric scheme" from Clare Library Link
also Wikipedia article on Ardnachusha Link which describes the impact on the environment and fishing in the Shannon. For politics leading to the implementation of the scheme see "A History of Water: The world of water" By Terje Tvedt and Terje Oestigaar, available in Google Books Link.
As well as providing power, the canal banks provide pleasant walks which were well used on the hot summer Sunday when I took the photo.