Picture Credit: Sliabh Bawn Power DAC
The Sliabh Bawn Wind Farm reached a significant milestone last week, moving from a construction project to a fully operational Wind Farm on March 31st.
The news came in a wide ranging update issued by Sliabh Bawn Power DAC in a statement released on their website. The project team also took the opportunity to acknowledge and thank the community’s co-operation during the construction phase of the project.
The next stage of the development will see Operational Noise Monitoring commence this month. The process can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks depending on the weather as monitoring needs to be conducted on a wide cross-section of wind speeds and directions.
In other news they stated that Phase II of the Recreation works are well underway and due for final completion by the end of June. Plans include a trim trail for fitness, an equestrian trail, looped walks, a raised viewing platform, additional car parking and a new picnic area.
It was also revealed that 24 projects are being supported by their Community Benefit Fund. The fund is developed as part of the Sliabh Bawn Wind farm and supports projects whose work falls under recreation, tourism, health and wellbeing, environmental sustainability and culture in the local area surrounding Sliabh Bawn Mountain. The selected recipients for the second phase of funding are;
– Lisonuffy Cemetery Committee,
– Sliabh Bawn History Committee,
– Ballyleague Village Renewal,
– St. Patrick’s B.N.S., Strokestown
– Cloontuskert Tidy Towns Association,
– Clooncagh National School Board of Management,
– Parents Association of Scoil Mhuire Strokestown,
– Kilglass Tarmonbarry Scout Group,
– Ballyleague Men’s Shed,
– Scramogue/Tarmonbarry Community Walkway at St Barry’s GAA Club,
– Lough Ree Sub Aqua search and Rescue unit,
– DARA Tarmonbarry,
– Strokestown Co-Operative Community Centre Limited,
– Sliabh Ban Community Group,
– 12th Roscommon Scouts / Lough Keel Scouts,
– Cloontuskert National School and
– the Irish Heritage Trust.
In addition to the above awards, a further 7 groups will receive the second year of funding based on multi-annual grants that were awarded in year one of the fund. The 7 Multi annual grants are for:
– The Hub Community Café
– Ballagh National School
– St Faithleachs GAA Club
– Ballyfeeny National School
– Strokestown Community Playschool Ltd
– Strokestown Community Development Association
– Lough Ree North Angling Club
The total amount allocated for 2016 fund including multi annual grants is €93,698
Details for the third round of funding will be announced in the coming weeks and we look forward to seeing the progress of this year’s projects in the local area.