ESB formally hands over Shannonbridge site for local use
ESB announced today (Friday) that it had formally transferred the Dalton Centre, in Shannonbridge, to Offaly County Council for local enterprise or community use.
The handover of the site was marked at a gathering attended by ESB Generation Director Jim Dollard, Chief Executive of Offaly County Council Anna Marie Delaney, council Cathaoirleach Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick, and family members of former ESB director Ted Dalton, after whom the centre is named.
A statement issued by ESB said it was envisaged that the unique scale, size and potential of the centre would contribute positively to the sustainable development, as well as the future economic, social and cultural wellbeing of the surrounding area.
The Dalton Centre has been used to house a collection of the most important artefacts held by ESB since its foundation in 1927.
The centre, which was opened in January 2003 by then-Minister for Energy Dermot Ahern, has played a key role in the company's longstanding involvement in the Midlands.
Jim Dollard, ESB Executive Director, Generation and Trading, said: "ESB has a long history in electricity generation in the Midlands and is is very grateful to the staff and broader communities involved for their support over those years.
"ESB is very pleased therefore to transfer the Dalton Centre to Offaly County Council for community gain.
"In the presence of the Dalton family and on behalf of ESB, I am delighted to formally transfer the Dalton Centre to Offaly County Council for the benefit of the surrounding community."
ESB said the transfer of the Dalton Centre was in addition to €500,000 that it had provided to Offaly County Council for the benefit of local communities around Shannonbridge.
Offaly County Council is taking the lead in the administration of the €500,000 fund.
Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, Anna Marie Delaney, stated: "The transfer of the Dalton Centre, and the €500,000 fund awarded by ESB to Offaly County Council, will allow the Local Authority to deliver tangible and meaningful benefits to the local communities in West Offaly in response to their needs."