Environment

THE Shannon Estuary presents a unique opportunity and is best placed in Ireland and Europe to develop the Atlantic floating offshore wind industry and help the country reach its climate goals, according to a new report. The review of the Shannon Foynes Port Company’s Vision 2041 masterplan by global experts Bechtel supports the development of offshore wind in the region. The report explains how the deep waters of the Shannon Estuary, almost unrivalled in a European context, would not only facilitate the deployment of floating offshore wind at scale from Europe’s best wind on Ireland’s west coast but help decongest the Irish supply chain through the provision of road and rail linked container services. Bechtel are global experts in ports, having delivered facilities around the world, including Khalifa Port, the most advanced trading hub in the Middle East. The report, which was launched by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan, TD, found that development of the Shannon …

A STRATEGY aimed at improving the lives of older people in Ennis has helped the county capital win a prestigious national award. The Ennis Age Friendly Town Strategy (2021) has won the ‘Age Friendly Environment’ award at the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards 2022. The Age Friendly Environment award recognises projects that bring about change in the built physical environment with older people in mind. Simple additions such as adequate public seating, level footpaths and appropriate crossing times at pedestrian crossings all have a huge impact on the ability of older people to be active in their towns and villages.   The Ennis Age Friendly Town Strategy was formulated and implemented by the Ennis Age Friendly Town Team, a group formed by the Age Friendly Programme Manager and led by Ennis Municipal District. The strategy contained actions across a number of areas including improvements in the physical environment, urban policing, social and recreational infrastructure, health and wellbeing and age-friendly …

THERE’S no need to worry that the transition to wind energy is happening too slowly in west Clare, according to Minister Eamon Ryan. The Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications was at Moneypoint to officially open its new €50 million synchronous compensator, which will enable higher volumes of renewables on the system, and provide greater grid stability. The Moneypoint synchronous compensator is one of the largest in the world, and he said it is at the forefront of a huge shift in how energy is produced. “This is historic and it’s in line with that Ardnacrusha tradition,” said Minister Ryan. “Then they built the leading example of hydro in the world and this is at the forefront of a new green revolution in energy. “When you have a lot of renewables on the system, a lot of wind, this supports it to make sure the system stays stable. This is the biggest one of these in the world, it’s the …

THE Green Party has selected Bridget Ginnity to be its local area representative for the Ennis electoral area.  Bridget thanked the Clare Greens for the selection, stating, “I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to represent the Green Party for Ennis. Senator Róisín Garvey and Councillor Liam Grant have been doing great work in Clare to make climate, communities and equality a priority and I hope to further their work in Ennis. “Given the current fossil fuel crisis I have a particular interest in renewable energy and energy efficiency. “The Green Party was instrumental in introducing a new Home Energy Upgrade Scheme with grants for everything from timers and attic insulation to full upgrades. Well insulated homes means warmer homes, lower heating bills and reduced carbon emissions. “Locally I will be working hard to improve walking and cycling infrastructure in Ennis as well as public transport routes. We got a taste of the calm that comes from reduced car use …

AN Bord Pleanála has been requested to hold an oral hearing concerning a retention appeal for a controversial wind turbine near Parteen, which has been described as an “abomination” by a chartered civil engineer. Limerick Blow Moulding was recently granted retention permission by Clare County Council to retain a turbine despite a huge volume of objections from Deputy Cathal Crowe, Deputy Violet Anne-Wynne, Senator Timmy Dooley and numerous residents. On March 2, 2021, a council survey found the wind turbine was built about 37 metres to the north-east of the location, which was previously granted planning permission. The company gained permission for a revised site boundary and revised position for a single 800 KW wind turbine, 73 metres high to hub height, as granted under previous planning permissions at Gortatogher, Parteen. In a very comprehensive appeal submitted to An Bord Pleanála on behalf of the 100 Metres Tall Group, Mick Duffy requested an oral hearing given the significant issues arising …

A MEELICK lobby group is considering reporting the alleged theft of posters to gardai opposing the proposed development of a wind farm in the locality. Meelick Wind Farm Alert chairman, Niall Ward told the Clare Champion he recently erected two posters at either side of Brennan’s Cross that lasted only three hours before they were mysteriously removed by unknown parties. Mr Ward said other residents also put up posters outside their own dwelling, which were also removed without their consent. His concern about the removal of posters comes as the group gears up to host a public meeting for concerned residents and public representatives from both Clare and Limerick on November 4 in the local hall at 7pm. The project is a proposed 12-turbine wind farm, located on a 140-hectare site neighbouring the townland of Ballycar, north of Meelick. Mr Ward expressed concern about a number of aspects about this project, particularly the proposed overall height of the turbines, which …

THE invaluable work that an East Clare social enterprise is doing to conserve Ireland’s plant genetic resources as well as the agricultural and social heritage associated with them is celebrated in a new book, which was launched last week in Scariff.  Irish Seed Savers Association was the venue for the latest in-person launch of Other Stories, Cultural Heritage & Society. Seed Saver’s Scarriff hub at Capparoe was a hive of activity as the local group gathered with representatives of International Council on Monuments & Sites (ICOMOS) Ireland and many others who contributed to the beautifully-crafted publication. ICOMOS Ireland funded the free book which showcases the work and importance of 15 culture, heritage and society projects on the island of Ireland and gives a voice to those involved in the form of personal reflections. Also included is the X-PO in Kilnaboy.    At the East Clare launch, Fidelma Mullane, President of ICOMOS Ireland, was among those in attendance. “The Faro Convention emphasises the …

A PROPOSAL to resume the operation of Derrybrien Wind Farm under a new company such as the Western Commission has been criticised as akin to reselling a “dangerous, defective, written-off car to a new customer”. On the 19th anniversary of the landslide at Derrybrien and the seventh anniversary of the Supreme Court Judgement, Friends of Derrybrien Environment have claimed supporters of the Save Derrybrien Windfarm are engaging in a “futile and misleading campaign with no prospect of success” to protect an illegal and loss-making development. In a hard hitting statement issued to the Clare Champion, Martin Collins of Friends of Derrybrien Environment has alleged the “bogus calls” to reopen/recommission the wind farm is a continuation of the controversy that the commentators themselves complain about. “It is very disturbing that some legislators refuse to recognise the imperative of ensuring that planning and environmental regulations must apply to all equally,” he stated. “The government and the ESB have reluctantly accepted that this …