Over €173,000 has been awarded to community groups close to Galway Wind Park through a new Local Community Fund for the country’s largest onshore wind farm.
The funding awarded by SSE Renewables and Greencoat Renewables represents around 50% of the overall Galway Wind Park Community Fund which is the largest fund of its kind in Ireland.
The Community Fund includes a Major Projects Fund, supporting larger-scale projects in the area, as well as a Scholarship Fund for local students.
This year’s applications focused on rebuilding communities post-COVID. The 2021 funds were repurposed to support applications for running costs, as restrictions rendered communities unable to generate the funds to cover these expenses.
Oughterard Meals on Wheels received funding towards delivering their Meals on Wheels programme for Oughterard and the surrounding area.
Catherine Faherty, Chairperson, Oughterard Meals on Wheels said that Galway Wind Park community funding will enable us to continue to deliver meals to the elderly and those recouperating after hospital.
“We liaise with local GPs, Public Health nurses and hospital social workers to provide this service,” she said.
Ms Faherty said that as well as a meal supply, the service is a very important source of daily social contact for their clients.
Parents’ Association Scoil Chuimin agus Caitríona Oughterard also received funding to develop a sensory garden for the school and the loclal community.
Helen Cronnelly, Co-chairperson of the Parents’ Committee, said Scoil Chuimin agus Caitríona Oughterard is unique in the community in that “it has a special needs ASD unit attached that helps children with ASD to access the curriculum.”
“The awarding of monies from Galway Wind Park Community Fund will enable us to create a sensory garden for the benefit of all pupils and others with sensory issues in the community.
“Furthering the school’s inclusive ethos, the school is dedicated to the uniqueness and individuality of all our children.”
