Bord na Móna invests over half a million euro in Offaly communities throughout 2024

BORD NA MÓNA has announced the awarding of over half a million euro in funding during 2024 for communities neighbouring the Mountlucas and Cloncreen Wind Farms in North Offaly.

The Mountlucas and Cloncreen Wind Farms Community Benefit Funds are continuing to provide significant financial support to community groups, near neighbours and local scholars.

Bord na Móna’s announcement brings the total investment provided by the combined Community Benefit Funds at Mountlucas and Cloncreen over the past ten years to over €2 million. This funding has supported 327 community projects in Edenderry, Clonbullogue, Ballyfore, Daingean, Mountlucas and Walsh Island, providing annual electricity contribution to 270 households through its Near Neighbour Schemes, ensuring that those living closest to these wind farms directly benefit.

In 2024 alone, the Mountlucas and Cloncreen Wind Farm Community Benefit Funds have provided over €250,000 in funding for 41 local community projects. Community initiatives supported in 2024 span across educational institutions to community centres, community development groups and sports clubs including - Gaelscoil Éadan Doire who received investment for educational resources to support immersive Irish-language education within the school.

Bord na Móna’s Community Benefit Funds have also supported the Acorn Project which is helping to drive environmental awareness and sustainability programmes, and funding provided to Walsh Island Development Group will help the delivery of local development initiatives and community infrastructure. Clonbullogue GAA Club was supported in the installation of a 14.79kW Solar PV array and 10.2kW Battery.

Funding provided through the Community Benefit Funds to the Ballycommon Telework and Training Centre is helping the rollout of digital literacy and training programmes, ensuring the community remains connected and empowered in the digital age.

The investments made in these local community initiatives, along with all recipients of Mountlucas and Cloncreen Wind Farm Community Benefit Funds in 2024, were celebrated at an Awards Night held by Bord na Móna in Tullamore and hosted by Midlands 103 presenter Ronan Berry. The event recognised the dedication of local groups and individuals who go above and beyond to make a difference in their local communities.

Speaking at the announcement of 2024 funding from the Mountlucas and Cloncreen Wind Farm Community Benefit Funds, John Reilly, Head of Renewable Energy at Bord na Móna said, “Since 2014, Bord na Móna has been deeply committed to supporting the communities around the Mountlucas Wind Farm and more recently the Cloncreen Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund has been introduced. With over €2.2 million invested to date, the positive impact of these Funds is clear to see in the remarkable projects and community-led initiatives that have been delivered. In 2024, we are proud to continue supporting these local communities through our allocation of over €500,000 in financial support for community groups, near neighbours and local scholars. We will continue to work in collaboration with these communities and look forward to building on this work in the years to come.”

For more information on the Mountlucas Wind Farm, please visit Bord na Móna Wind Farm | Mountlucas Wind Farm

For more information on the Cloncreen Wind Farm, please visit Bord na Móna Wind Farm | Cloncreen Wind Farm

Cloncreen Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund 2024 Recipients

Fund Allocation: € 151,873

Ballyfore GAA

Purchase of a New Scoreboard to Enhance the Club’s Facilities

Bracknagh GAA

Installation of an Access Gate along with Pedestrian Gate to Enhance the Clubs Facilities for People with Additional Needs

Clonbullogue Development Association

Biodiversity Planting in the Local Area

Clonbullogue GAA Club

Purchase and Installation of Solar Panels and Battery for more Environmentally Sustainable Energy Usage

Clonmore Harps GAA Club

Purchase of a New Goal Posts to Enhance the Club’s Facilities

Edenderry Community Centre

Upgrade of the Boiler System in the Community Centre for More Efficient Energy Usage

Edenderry Christmas Light Committee

Installation of Lighting Connections to Provide Additional Sustainable, Safe, And Cost-Effective Christmas Lighting in The Town

Eden Pitch and Putt

Enhance Clubhouse Facilities to Include a Sheltered Area.

Edenderry Town FC

Upgrade of the Clubhouse Heating System to Solar Panels for more Environmentally Sustainable Energy Usage

Figile Manor Residents Association

Purchase of Biodiversity Materials and Equipment to Help Enhance the Estate and Its Environmental Sustainability

Gaelscoil Edenderry Doire

Towards the Development of a Sensory Playground

Gemini Players ADG

Purchase of Stage Lighting Equipment

Oaklands Community College

Purchase of Bicycles for Use by Staff and Students to Encourage Active and Sustainable Living

Rhode Parish Enterprise Association LTD

Upgrade to LED Energy Saving Lighting for More Sustainable, Cost-Effective Lighting in the Community Centre

St. Broughan's LGFA

Purchase and Installation of a Storage Container to Provide Secure Storage for Training Equipment

St. Mary's Secondary School, Edenderry

Development of a Wheelchair Ramp and Access to the School’s Sports Field

St. Patrick's NS, Clonbullogue

Painting the School to Enhance the Aesthetic of the Building

The Acorn Project

Modernise and Upgrade the Facility to Enhance the Services Offered to the Users of this Youth Service

Mountlucas Wind Farm Community Gain Scheme 2024 recipients

Mountlucas Community Development

Enhancement of the Mountlucas area

St. Conleth's Conference (SVP) Daingean Area

Community Support for People in Need

Walsh Island National School

Purchase of essential IT school equipment

St Broughan's GAA

Purchase of training equipment

Daingean Community Childcare Services CLG

Upgrade of essential equipment to support the running of the childcare centre

Offaly Search & Recovery (Underwater) CLG

Purchase of equipment to support search and rescue operations

Faile Vintage Club

Support for community First Aid Course

Walsh Island Shamrocks AFC

Purchase of training & Pitch Equipment

Kilclonfert GAA Club

Upgrade of water heating system

Offaly Down Syndrome Association

Purchase of materials

Walsh Island Parents Association

Purchase and Installation of new school bicycle racks

Daingean Community Defibrillator Group

Purchase of AED equipment & support for Community First Responders in the Daingean area

Daingean Community Development CLG

Community Enhancement Project

Kilclonfert Seniors Group ARA

Purchase of equipment to support chiropody services

North Offaly Community Development Network CLG

Support of North Offaly Meals on Wheels Service

Daingean National School

Sensory Room Upgrade

Ballycommon Telework and Training Centre CLG

Support of Community Training Garden Project

Daingean Women’s Group

Support for delivery of training and skills courses

Walsh Island GAA

Purchase of pitch maintenance equipment

Accessible Counselling Tullamore (ACT)

Provision of Counselling and Psychotherapy services

Walsh Island Community Alert

Text Alert System Bundle

Walsh Island Development Group

Support for development of walkways in the locality

Daingean Community and Sports Centre

Club Development