William F. Roe (1904-1982) was an electrical engineer who led the rural electrification scheme in Ireland.

Early life and education

He was born at 25 Patrick Street,

Kilkenny Kilkenny (). is a city in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located in the South-East Region and in the province of Leinster. It is built on both banks of the River Nore. The 2016 census gave the total population of Kilkenny as 26,512. Kilken ...

, Ireland, only son of William and Mary Roe (née Duggan). Educated at home until aged nine, he then went to Christian Brothers School, Kilkenny, and later to

University College Dublin University College Dublin (commonly referred to as UCD) ( ga, Coláiste na hOllscoile, Baile Átha Cliath) is a public research university in Dublin, Ireland, and a collegiate university, member institution of the National University of Ireland ...

and the Royal College of Science for Ireland. He graduated from UCD in 1924, BEng Civil Engineering and from UCD and the College of Science in 1925, BEng Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and ARCScI in each case with first class honours.

Career

Roe joined the electricity department of Dublin Corporation, moving the following year to the Shannon Power Development Board and in 1928 he transferred to the newly formed

Electricity Supply Board The Electricity Supply Board (ESB; ga, Bord Soláthair an Leictreachais) is a state owned (95%; the rest are owned by employees) electricity company operating in the Republic of Ireland. While historically a monopoly, the ESB now operates as ...

(ESB). Roe's early career in the ESB saw him as District Engineer in Portlaoise, Waterford and Cork City. When the Rural Electrification Scheme was initiated in 1945, the experience Roe became the first Engineer-in-Charge. In 1950, he was appointed Assistant Chief Engineer of the ESB and in 1965 Deputy Chief Engineer, all the time keeping his finger on the pulse of the Rural Scheme. He was also the Chairman of the Industrial Engineering Co. (Dundalk), and of its four subsidiaries. Roe was undoubtedly the best-known ESB Engineer in Ireland. He was also a founding member of Cumann na n'Innealtóiri (The Engineers Association), serving for a number of years on its council, also on the Council of the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland, both of which merged in 1969 and became the Institution of Engineers of Ireland. He also served on the council of the early Irish Management Institute. He was the first Chairman of the Irish Branch, Institute of Electrical Engineers (now the IET). He served for a long number of years on the National Executive of

Muintir na Tíre Muintir na Tíre (, meaning "People of the Country") is a national Irish voluntary organisation that promotes community and rural development. Canon John Hayes John Martin Hayes (11 November 1887 – 30 January 1957) was an Irish Catholi ...

. His leadership (spurred by commitment to social justice) and his inspired management skills ensured the success of the rural electrification scheme that made such a dramatic impact on rural life in Ireland. (Biography to be published by

Royal Irish Academy The Royal Irish Academy (RIA; ga, Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann), based in Dublin, is an academic body that promotes study in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is Ireland's premier List of Irish learned societies, learned socie ...

) A plaque commemorating his contributions is on display at his birthplace in Patrick Street, Kilkenny.

References

Print

*Michael. J. Shiel. ''The Quiet Revolution: The Electrification of Rural Ireland, 1946-1976'' (O'Brien Press; 3Rev Ed edition January 2003) *Douglas F. Barnes. "The Challenge of Rural Electrification: Strategies for Developing Countries" (RFF Press 2007)

Online

ESB Electric Mail

Ask About Ireland - Irish Scientists

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roe, William F Irish electrical engineers 1904 births 1982 deaths 20th-century Irish engineers People from Kilkenny (city) Engineers from County Kilkenny