July 24, 2014
Ireland

Windfarm plans concern Tullahought residents

Kilkenny People | 24 July 2014 | www.kilkennypeople.ie

Residents of the south Kilkenny village of Tullahought are closely monitoring a proposed windfarm for just across the border in Tipperary.

Richard Walsh, a Kilkenny based member of the Ahenny Action Group, cites numerous local attractions – including Knockroe Passage tomb – which he believes may be affected by the erection of the masts.

The 5000BC tomb, one of a kind in Ireland, is a popular attraction with the Winter Solstice of December 21 an annual pilgrimage for many wishing to see the inner chamber of this anceient burial ground magically come to light. With no concrete proposals of where the 126m high from base to tip turbines will be located, its impact on the tomb is a major concern to locals.

The area is also noted for the location of the Ahenny High Crosses, and apart from its natural beauty the area is one of the more historic sites in the country.

The company Dunoair from The Netherlands, recently dropped information letters in the Tullahought area. Locals like Richard Walsh are concerned that the plans will have a negative impact on the landscape – and are baffled as to the proposal considering that in 2006 the Ahenny Action Group successfully halted a windfarm development in the area.

The proposed windfarm is just across the border in Tipperary, and members of the Ahenny Action group from that area are asking for support from their Kilkenny colleagues and to raise interest in the issue in the Kilkenny area.

The Kilkenny townlands that may be most affected include Tullaghought, Castletown, Owning, Windgap, Kilmacoliver, Knockroe, Kiltrassy and Meallaghmore.

“We find it extraordinary that any wind company would have the gall to come back into our area again,” said Mairead Sheehan, chairperson of the Ahenny Action Group.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/07/24/windfarm-plans-concern-tullahought-residents/