William F. Roe

Who was William F. Roe?

William F. Roe, electrical engineer who led the rural electrification scheme in Ireland, was born in 25 Patrick St., Kilkenny, Ireland, only son of William and Mary Roe. Educated at home until aged nine, he then went to Christian Brothers School, Kilkenny, and later to University College Dublin 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 honors.

He 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.

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., and of its four subsidiaries. Roe was undoubtedly the best-known ESB Engineer in Ireland.