Building Ireland

Architect Orla Murphy explores how Athlone evolved around its strategic River Shannon crossing.

Engineer Tim Joyce follows the generations of engineers as they attempted to make the River Shannon navigable.

Geographer Susan Hegarty investigates how the Lough Allen Canal helped transform a remote corner of Leitrim into one of Ireland's industrial powerhouses.

In episode 2, engineer Tim Joyce investigates how Irish engineers overcame the challenge of generating electricity from peat and helped power a rapidly modernising Ireland.

Architect Orla Murphy investigates how Clonmacnoise, a remote monastery on the River Shannon grew into one of medieval Ireland's most significant proto-urban centres.

Geographer Susan Hegarty investigates how Ireland's Dairy cooperative movement began in a small creamery in rural Limerick and grew into a nationwide force.