Community group steps up campaign to oppose wind farm near archaeological site 

A local community group is stepping up its campaign to oppose a wind farm at Lemanaghan, Co Offaly, following receipt of new draft proposals which, it says, threaten an area with one of the highest concentrations of wetland archaeological sites in Europe.

The plan, drawn up by Bord na Móna and SSE Renewables, will be submitted to An Bord Pleanala “in the coming months” as part of a planning application to build 15 wind turbines, standing 220 metres high, on Lemanaghan bog in northwest Offaly.

Earlier this year, the two entities joined forces on a green electricity project that will spend up to €1bn in the next decade on onshore wind farms to supply electricity to almost 500,000 homes in the midlands.

Lemanaghan is one of the initial three projects in a portfolio that includes Garryhinch in counties Laois and Offaly and Littleton, Co Tipperary. All three are already in pre-planning.

“The proposed development, including the Draft Amenity Plan, will not impact on areas of high ecological or archaeological heritage importance or on any other areas of environmental significance,” the revised proposal says.

The Lemanaghan Bog Heritage and Conservation Group, however, vehemently disagrees, saying that the entire bog, all 1,200 hectares of it, should be left untouched.

(Left to right) KK Kenny, Ciara Egan, Sean Corcoran, Sean Halligan and Seamus Corcorcan with a model showing the scale of the turbines planned for Lemanaghan Bog.

Local historian and group member Seamus Corcoran says it is not only unique in Ireland, but in Europe, given the extraordinary concentrations of archaeological finds in the area.

They include the remains of a monastic site, founded by St Machan in the 7th century, a very significant pilgrim trackway, St Manchan’s shrine, considered to be a masterpiece of medieval art, and a very important early medieval crozier.

“You wouldn’t build a wind farm on nearby Clonmacnoise so why build one here on a similar monastic site with the one of the highest density of wetland archaeological finds in Europe?” said group member KK Kenny.

The plan to site a wind farm at Lemanaghan has drawn vigorous local opposition since it was first mooted in 2021.

Some 2,200 objections were submitted to Offaly County Council in an attempt to stop councillors zoning the bog suitable for wind farm development. Councillors voted by nine votes to eight to accept the controversial rezoning.

The project has been at pre-planning stage since 2021, but the local conservation group received an updated draft proposal two weeks ago.

“At this time, our focus remains on preserving the unique and peaceful character of this special place, and we believe that the proposed development will significantly impact its natural and historical integrity,” said another member, Aoife Phelan.

Kevin O’Dwyer, metalworker, photographer and co-author of Saint Manchan’s Shrine, said he was very disheartened to hear that Bord na Móna was following through on its proposed wind farm at Lemanaghan bog.

“It is one of the richest wetland archaeological sites in Europe and traces of human activity date back to 3500 BC,” he said.

He said the site needed protection for future generations due to its rich archaeological content, which is part of a much larger complex that incorporates Lemanaghan monastic site and the Pilgrim’s Path.

“It is time for the Offaly County Manager, county and national representatives, the Heritage Council, and the National Museum to recognise its importance and make a strong representation to planning authorities and the government to stop the destruction of this important archaeological site.

“Have we not learned from previous short-term gains over the years? Once this site is ripped up there is no turning back,” he said.

A Bord Na Móna spokesperson said: “The archaeological, architectural and cultural heritage of Lemanaghan Bog, and its surrounds, will be considered as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) that will accompany the planning application for the proposed development.

“When the Bord na Mona/SSE Electricity joint venture was announced in March, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan welcomed it saying it was “one of the largest onshore renewable energy joint ventures in the history of the State”.

A spokesperson for his department said he was precluded from commenting on individual planning applications, but added: “The minister, as always, encourages all renewable energy developers and all relevant stakeholders to undertake extensive and constructive engagement with local communities before, during, and after the construction of any renewable energy project.”