Meeting tonight over controversial proposed wind farm 

A meeting against a proposed wind farm in South Roscommon is being held this evening.

The Friends of Cornafulla, Clonmacnoise and the Shannon Callows is asking people to attend the gathering tonight at the Clann na nGael GAA Club at 7.30 pm.

The group wishes to discuss its objections to the proposed wind farm in the local area and is seeking the community’s support. The developers said the plans for the Cornafulla Wind Farm are at a very early stage, and that the proposed number, location and height of turbines have not yet been determined.

Recently in a post on social media from Clonmacnoise, Vincent Harney of the popular Athlone Guided Walking Tours said that the proposed wind farm, by Bord Na Móna and SSE Renewables, would seriously negatively impact the locality’s environment and scenic beauty.

“Clonmacnoise is regarded as one of the most important sites in all of Europe. It is a very tranquil place, founded by St Ciarán in 544. It was eventually destroyed in 1552 by a garrison of British soldiers,” he said.

He added that for approximately 500 years, the site has been a quiet place where tourists and locals visit.

“It is a place of pilgrimage for some people,” Mr Harney continued. He described the proposal to install wind turbines just over half a mile from the location as “really really bad news”.

“These wind turbines would be more than ten times the height of the round towers here in Clonmacnoise.” 

The Cornafulla man said that the development would destroy the area’s views, and that the energy generated would be used for data centres rather than homes. He said that the area has been recognised by Roscommon and Offaly for its important historical views, and also deemed as totally unsuitable for wind turbines in County Roscommon.

He called on the developers to reconsider the proposal.