1. Energy long ago
1950s
In the 1950s people would heat their homes mainly with turf and coal fires .
Turf is cut from bogs.
Some would also use electric heaters .
Click to find out more about bogs

2. Energy Long ago 1960s – 70s Turf and coal fires were still in use
Central heating came into use in the 1960s using tanks called back boilers which were at the back of fireplaces filled with water.
When there was a fire lighting the water would warm up and would then be used to heat the home

3. Energy Long Ago
1980s
A lot more people were beginning to use central heating in Ireland and were moving away from coal and turf fires
Gas was discovered in Kinsale during the 1980s and so people were able to get gas central heating
During the 1980s the government banned coal in the amin cities because it caused a lot of smog

4. Energy long ago
1990s
Almost every home in Ireland had gas or oil central heating
Coal fires were becoming less common
New homes were beter built and were insulated.

5. Energy long ago
2000s
In the 2000s people were using insulation to keep their homes warm
New homes began to use under floor heating and double glazing.

6. Energy long ago 2000-present
This decade saw the widespread use of wind turbines to generate electricity for homes and businesses

7. Energy long ago 2000-present
Hybrid cars were introduced . These worked on petrol and electricity

8. Energy use in Ireland
Energy use in Ireland per capita has increased since 1960
The peak was in 2001
In that year it was kg in kg of oil equivalent per person
In 2007 it fell back to kg in oil equivalent
Click to see Graph

9. Energy use in Ireland

10. Energy through the ages
By Hugh
6th Class St.Marys