Page 90 - GAHS Journal Volume 9

WICKLOW'S INDUSTRIAL HISTORY

Wind

There does not appear to be any mention of wind mills
within County Wicklow but electricity is now being
generated by wind mills at several sites in the County and
feeding into the national grid.

Coal importation

Coal was not found in the County and had to be imported.
Most imports were through Arklow, Bray and Wicklow
harbours. Greystones had local imports to the harbour for
some time. We understand that was transhipped from
imported coal to Bray or Wicklow by a purpose built sailing
coaster owned by the local coal merchant.

Gas Generation

Gas technology dates from the mid 1850’s. Town gas may
have been generated locally but latterly has been piped
from Dublin and now is natural gas from the national
network. Where this is not available it is possible to use
bottled or bulk gas for commercial or domestic install-
ations.

Water and hydraulic power

County Wicklow because of its situation and
topographical profile has an adequate supply of water
from the prevalent westerly and easterly winds. Being in
the Eastern half of Ireland it receives between 750 and
1000mm of rain per annum; in mountainous regions, this

could reach 2000mm per year. [12]
The mountainous terrain, relative altitude, and in general

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