The Shannon Scheme was the construction of the Ardnacrusha Hydroelectric Plant in the mid to late 1920s. Construction involved the diverting of the Shannon River, the creation of two new channels and erection of the Hydroelectric plant. The following is a list of workers who died, during the Shannon Scheme. The list includes, names, place of origin and date of death. Also, where possible, information from their death certificates and a link to the notice from the Limerick Chronicle (Limerick Library website).
Died during the Shannon Scheme by Year
1926
William Byrne, Wicklow, 29 March 1926
- William Byrne’s death certificate stated that he was 36 years old and single, living in The Huts, Ardnacrusha and died from an accidental violent concussion – Limerick Chronicle (he was hit by a train)
Mark McDermot, Leitrim, 22 April 1926
- Mark McDermot’s death certificate stated that he was 48 years old and married. He suffered internal injuries after being crushed by a wagon in Parteen but died later in the City Home, Limerick.
Bridget Walshe, Limerick, 3 May 1926
- Bridget Walshe’s death certificate stated she was a 19-year-old, single woman, who worked as a typist and accountant (on the Shannon Scheme), she died when her bicycle was hit by a bus. She was originally from Foynes.
Leonherd Gernsbeck, Germany, 9 July 1926
- Leonhers Gernsbeck’s death certificate stated he was a 29-year-old, married man, who died from a heart attack after receiving an electric shock in Clonlara.
Francis Hogan, Limerick, 17 August 1926
- Francis Hogan’s death certificate stated that he was a 27-year-old married man who died as a result of an accidental skull fracture at the docks in Limerick – Limerick Chronicle
Alfons Feuerstein, Germany, 6 September 1926.
- Alfons Feuerstein was a carpenter foreman on the Shannon Scheme, who died in Dublin of cancer. Buried in Kilquane Graveyard
William O’Halloran, Clare, 6 September 1926
- Willaim O’Halloran’s death certificate stated that he was a 29-year-old single man who died from an accident at the Sharon Scheme. (He was struck by a train)
James Shinners, Tipperary, 16 September 1926
- James Shinners’ death certificate stated that he was a 23-year-old single man who died from the shock of scalds in Clonlara, he was working as a fireman. (He was originally from Newport, Tipperary)
John Murphy, Limerick, 10 November 1926
- John Murphy’s death certificate stated that he was a 29-year-old married man from Pigott’s Lane. He died in Barrington’s Hospital from injuries sustained while working as a docker – Limerick Chronicle (buried in Mount Saint Lawrence cemetery)
Thomas Whiteside, Monaghan, 21 November 1926
- Thomas Whiteside’s death certificate stated that he was an unmarried, 23-year-old, skilled labourer who died from electrocution in Ardnacrusha – Limerick Chronicle
Patrick Keane, Clare, 20 December 1926
- Patrick Keane’s death certificate stated that he was a 27-year-old single man who died in the City Home, 18 hours after being crushed by a lorry. He was originally from Lahinch, County Clare.
1927
Christopher Heffernan, Limerick, 28 January 1927
- Christopher Heffernan’s death certificate stated that he was a twenty-four and a half year old single man who died by drowning – Limerick Chronicle
Daniel Hayes, Limerick, 23 April 1927
- Daniel Hayes’ death certificate stated that he was an unmarried 39-year-old man from Kilfinnan, County Limerick, who died after he was struck by a train – Limerick Chronicle
John Joseph Hartnett, Limerick, 4 May 1927
- John Joseph Hartnett’s death certificate stated that he was unmarried and 22 years old. He died after he was crushed between two wagons – Limerick Chronicle
Edward McCormack, Limerick, 17 May 1927
- Edward McCormack’s death certificate, stated that he was a 21-year-old single man from 3 Curry Lane who died in Barrington’s Hospital after being struck by a lorry – Limerick Chronicle
James Courtney, Limerick, 13 December 1927
- James Courtney’s death certificate, stated that he was a 27-year-old married man who died after being struck by falling rocks in Ardnacrusha – Limerick Chronicle (buried in Mount Saint Lawrence Cemetery)
1928
Patrick Wyse, Limerick, 20 January 1928
- Patrick Wyse’s death certificate stated he was a 40 year old married man who was killed when struck by a motor trailer on his way to work at the Shannon Scheme – Limerick Chronicle
James Heery, Galway, 4 March 1928
- James Heery’s death certificate stated he was a 37-year-old married man who was died as the result of an explosion – Limerick Chronicle
Henry Markham, Limerick, 11 August 1928
- Henry Markham’s death certificate stated he was a 16-year-old messenger boy who was killed by shock caused by electrocution – Limerick Chronicle
Patrick Carolan, Louth, 16 August 1928
- Patrick Carolan’s death certificate stated he was a 43-year-old married man who died from shock and haemorrhage from internal injuries.
William Barrett, Mayo, 11 September 1928
- William Barrett’s death certificate stated he was a 22-year-old single man originally from Ballina, County Mayo who died from a fractured skull after a fall from a motorbike – Limerick Chronicle
Frank Murphy, Kerry, 23 September 1928
- Frank Murphy’s death certificate stated he was Francis Murphy a 29-year-old married man who died by drowning
Josef Horner, Germany, 12 October 1928
- Josef Horner death certificate stated he was a 35-year-old married blast master who died in an explosion caused by the negligence of Eugene McSweeney – Limerick Chronicle
Rudolph Weigel, Germany, 22 October 1928
- Rudolph Weigel’s death certificate stated he was a married 42-year-old carpenter who died of a skull fracture after a fall from a ladder – Limerick Chronicle
Daniel Healy, Limerick, 18 November 1928
- Daniel Healy’s death certificate stated he was a 25-year-old single man, who died along with Patrick Folan and Daniel O’Brien when a bogie overturned at the Shannon Scheme – Limerick Chronicle
Patrick Folan, Galway, 18 November 1928
- Patrick Folan’s death certificate stated he was a 17-year-old who died along with Daniel Healy and Daniel O’Brien when a bogie overturned at the Shannon Scheme – Limerick Chronicle
Daniel O’Brien, Limerick, 18 November 1928
- Daniel O’Brien’s death certificate stated he was a 42-year-old married man who died along with Daniel Healy and Patrick Folan when a bogie overturned at the Shannon Scheme – Limerick Chronicle
Patrick Brinn, Limerick, 20 November 1928
- Patrick Brinn death certificate stated he was a 37-year-old married man from Island Road who died from shock after a fall from a tressel after a rope broke – Limerick Chronicle
Daniel O’Brien, Tipperary, 27 December 1928
- Daniel O’Brien’s death certificate stated he was 35-year-old single man who died by shock and extensive injuries following a fall from a bogie – Limerick Chronicle
1929
James Walsh, Tipperary, 9 January 1929
- James Walsh’s death certificate stated he was a 54-year-old widower who died by accident of a broken neck
John Joseph Larkin, Galway, 16 May 1929
- John Joseph Larkin’s death certificate stated he was a 29-year-old married man, he died after he was hit by falling work equipment. He was with Joseph Twomey – Limerick Chronicle
Joseph Twomey, Kilmallock, 16 May 1929
- Joseph Twomey’s death certificate stated he was 24-year-old married man, he died after he was hit by falling work equipment. He was with John Joseph Larkin – Limerick Chronicle
John Rigney, Laois, 1 June 1929
- John Rigney’s death certificate stated he was a 21-year-old married man who died following injuries incurred while derailing a railway wagon. He was from Raheenduff, County Laois.
Peter Kinsella, Kildare, 14 August 1929
- Peter Kinsella’s death certificate stated he was 27-year-old single man who died from multiple injuries after a fall from a scaffold. He was with Michael Conroy.
Michael Conroy, Kildare, 14 August 1929
- Michael Conroy’s death certificate stated he was a 22-year-old single man who died from a fractured skull after a fall from a scaffold. He was with Peter Kinsella.
Patrick Moore, Tipperary, 6 October 1929
- Patrick Moore’s death certificate stated he was a 47-year-old married man who died from electric shock after coming in contact with a live wire.
Jacob Kunz, Germany, 21 December 1929
- Jacob Kunz death certificate stated he was a single 40-year-old man who worked as foreman. He was killed by blunt force trauma in a homicide – Limerick Chronicle