Pioneer Power Man

Donegal town's Willie McGowan, now in his 97th year talks to EM.

Ninety-six year old Willie McGowan was thinking electricity as far back as the late 1920's in his home town of Donegal where his father was the Station Master for Donegal Railway for 47 years. Willie brought his dream to fruition and pioneered electric public lighting in the town, getting permission from the Railway to locate his 'power house' on the grounds. "Our first customer was the Parochial House and we had 295 consumers in the town and around the outskirts at one point, as well as the street lights. We'd charge the batteries during the day and run them at night - just to provide light - and we bought a third generator from Warrenpoint when it shut down to meet the growing demand." Willie had to work under licence from ESB and while electricity had been brought to Killybegs, Donegal town had been bypassed so he continued to operate until 1952 when the system was taken over by ESB. The family plant operated a 24-hour shift with the McGowan brothers, Willie and P.J., bearing the major brunt of the work themselves. The poles had been transported from Norway and to this day two of the original poles are still in use - one opposite the bungalow where Willie and his wife Rita now live. Willie commenced work with ESB following the takeover and remained there until his retirement back in 1974. In fact Rita herself played a major support role for the company when their kitchen operated as a 'call centre' as well as many a weary networks staff being fed and resuscitated after a hard night's work during Donegal's winter storms.

Willie himself could be described as having 9 lives in that he survived a 39kV shock having driven himself to hospital with third degree burns (he still has the scars), was knocked down by a train at 3 years of age and fell off a motor bike in 1975. A motor bike enthusiast from the age of 14, Willie bought his first bike back in 1924 and took part in his first race in 1927. He recalls owning some 28 machine from the humble two-strokes of the day to the more sophisticated Vincent, over the years. With his Railway background he was an expert on engines and has written railway articles for publication for many years. His talent knows no bounds and their home is adorned with some wonderful drawings and painting which he has also found time to complete. Back in 1974, at his retirement presentation, glowing tributes were paid to Willie by ESB management who said that when ESB came first to Donegal they were told that this was one section they need not worry about. "Willie McGowan was always ready to go to the remotest part of the county at any time of night to ensure that supplies remained uninterrupted. He was a twentyfour hour man who never feared hard work." A fitting tribute indeed for an extraordinarily talented and lovely gentleman.