Environment

MINISTER Heather Humphreys was in Lahinch this morning to officially open the Lahinch Leisure Centre, a shining example of smart energy usage and generation. As part of its €6m renovation and expansion, the Centre has enjoyed an extensive energy retrofit under the auspices of the Tipperary Energy Agency. Now, alongside its top of the range insulation and ground source heat pump that heats the pools, solar panels on the roof generate much of the centre’s energy requirements. Alongside that, the ductwork throughout the centre is made from recycled materials. Indeed, no fewer than 3,717 plastic bottle have been repurposed to this effect The centre’s green journey began in September 2018 when engineers from the agency completed an energy audit to understand how much energy the building was using and pinpoint necessary works to upgrade the facility. Following the audit Tipperary Energy Agency were appointed Mechanical and Electrical Design Engineers and Energy Consultants. Prior to the retrofit, the leisure centre (part …

Féidhlim Harty, director of an environmental consultancy company tells Bridget Ginnity, how being a bad windsurfer led him to specialising in reed bed system design and other eco-friendly sewage options. For as long as I can remember, my family was interested in environmental things of various sorts, whether it was beach clean-ups, chemical or sewage pollution in Cork Harbour area. My grandmother was Myrtle Allan of Ballymaloe House. When she was president of Euro-Toques, the global society of chefs, she had us children filling envelopes and addressing them to all corners of the globe. We watched the early European legislation on food being developed and it was a real education that you can bring your opinions directly to the table and decisions will be made that reflects that input. I set up my business in constructed wetlands as an activism measure in the ’90s. I wanted to clean up Cork Harbour using reed bed systems, mainly because I was a …

There has been a mixed reaction to the announcement that EDF Renewables Ireland is sponsoring a pitch upgrade at Broadford GAA Club, providing €4,000 towards upgraded pitch facilities. This sponsorship funding will be used to help enhance the pitch surface at Coolagh and according to EDF Renewables’ “demonstrates its commitment to supporting local and community initiatives in the areas surrounding its projects”. Earlier this year, EDF Renewables Ireland announced its plans to develop the c.50MW Lackareagh Wind Farm on land to the east of Broadford in Co. Clare. The proposed wind farm, which could power more than 35,000 homes, will be located in the townlands of Killeagy and Shannaknock. Welcoming the sponsorship, John O’Brien, Chair of Broadford GAA Club said: “We’re delighted to partner with EDF Renewables to enhance our pitch facilities. The sponsorship funding will go towards drainage, specialist fertilizer and other works needed to ensure all our youth and senior teams can play on a top-quality pitch all …

Futureproof Clare was among the 20 groups that participated in a national protest this Tuesday to try to stop planning approval for more rock-blasting at the bauxite refining site at Rusal Aughinish Alumina plant in Co Limerick. The groups who have come together in protest at Rusal’s proposed move include Futureproof Clare, Friends of the Irish Environment, Slí Eile, and the Cappagh Farmers Support Group, whose founder Pat Geoghegan has long campaigned against the facility. Tim Hannon of Futureproof Clare said the group is “extremely determined” to stop the blasting from going ahead at the plant. He was speaking at a press event in Dublin on Tuesday to discuss a planning application by Aughinish Alumina to expand its disposal site for the ‘red mud’ created as a by-product from the bauxite refining process. Mr Hannon told the event at the Teachers Club in Dublin, which heard from academic experts regarding the potential pollutant effects of bauxite refineries, that the Aughinish …

A REVIEW of ‘No Mow May’ , a policy where areas of grass weren’t cut last month to promote biodiversity is required before next year, last week’s meeting of Clare County Council heard. At the June meeting of the Council, Councillor Ian Lynch asked for the review , which he said is required “to develop a suitable policy that ensures public spaces and recreation areas are maintained to ensure the needs of residents and users”. In a report to the meeting, Senior Engineer with the Council’s Environment Department Cyril Feeney stated, “The ‘No Mow May’ initiative is part of the wider All Ireland Pollinator Plan. The plan’s main aim is to ensure that pollinators have safety from pesticide chemicals and have food and shelter. “The plan is not a prescriptive series of must-do actions but instead provides guidelines which require us to manage amenity areas and the countryside in a slightly different way. It is not about abandoning the landscape …

JAPANESE Knotweed and other invasive species continue to create problems for communities in County Clare. They can have a devastating impact on biodiversity, environmental health, and community well-being, and they hamper our efforts to slow the pace of climate change. To help counter its effect, the Clare Local Development Company is conducting practical training seminars in a number of locations in the county. This practical training is for all interested residents living in or near Connolly, Doolin, Lisdoonvarna, Miltown Malbay, and Mountshannon. At the seminar you will learn: How to identify Japanese knotweed and Himalayan knotweed. How to assess the severity of an infestation and to work out the best method of control. What biosecurity means and how to avoid introduction and dispersal of invasive species. Legislation you must comply with. How to use herbicide safely without causing undue harm to yourself and the environment. You will be the first to see CLDC’s mobile invasive species control unit, which is …

A COMPANY planning to build a controversial wind farm in County Clare has pledged €4,000 in sponsorship for a local GAA club. In a statement issued to the Clare Champion, EDF Renewables Ireland confirmed it is sponsoring a pitch upgrade at Broadford GAA Club, providing €4,000 towards the project. The sponsorship funding will be used to help enhance the pitch surface at Coolagh and, the company says, demonstrates EDF Renewables’ commitment to supporting local and community initiatives in the areas surrounding its projects. Earlier this year, EDF Renewables Ireland announced its plans to develop the 50MW Lackareagh Wind Farm on land to the east of Broadford. The proposed wind farm, which could power more than 35,000 homes, will be located in the townlands of Killeagy and Shannaknock. EDF Renewables Ireland intends to submit a planning application and an Environmental Impact Assessment Report in support of the project, which could consist of up to seven turbines, to Clare County Council in …

Sharon Malone, Marketing and Green Manager of the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon, tells Bridget Ginnity how her work has inspired her personally. It is one of only two carbon neutral hotels in Clare, the other being Hotel Doolin My interest in the environment started when I was about 13, when my dad bought me a book called “50 Things Kids Can Do To Save The Earth” – I’d say he rued the day. I drove the family demented with all the ideas I got from it, like when I had them all turn off all the taps to check if we had a leaky house. There was a chapter on vegetarianism and I gave up eating meat. My parents humored me completely though. I am the oldest of six and concern for the environment filtered down – my brother even stopped throwing tyres on Halloween bonfires! I went on to study marketing and was delighted to get the opportunity to …