Almost €215k awarded to local projects from Yellow River Community Benefit Fund

Some 20 community projects across Offaly, Meath and Westmeath have received almost €215,000 through SSE's newly established Community Benefit Fund for Yellow River Wind Farm.

In what is the first year of the Yellow River fund, almost €100,000 has been awarded from the Major Projects Fund to a trio of transformational projects in the region, while more than €115,000 has been awarded across smaller grassroots initiatives.

The fund awards were made to successful community groups at a special event hosted by SSE at Rhode Hall on Tuesday, September 8, to mark the inaugural presentation of funding from Yellow River Wind Farm.

SSE’s Community Benefit Fund is designed to deliver long-term social, environmental and economic benefits to those communities closest to Yellow River Wind Farm. Funding is awarded to not-for-profit groups operating within a 10km radius of the wind farm, with priority given to those within 5km.

Projects supported include sports development and community facilities, education and youth initiatives, biodiversity and climate action projects, and renewable energy measures.

A total of €214,393 has been awarded by SSE across two funding streams – a Major Projects Fund which supports larger transformational projects capable of delivering significant and lasting community benefits, and a Local Community Fund which assists smaller-scale, grassroots initiatives.

Major Project Funding totalling €99,016 has been awarded from Yellow River Wind Farm between Rhode GAA Club in Offaly, Ballinabrackey GAA Club in Meath and the 9th Westmeath Milltownpass Scout Group.

Rhode GAA Club has received €58,938, the largest single award from this year’s fund, towards a large-scale suite of sustainability and facilities upgrades at the club’s home grounds of Fr. Dowling Park. These include a solar panel and battery storage system, energy efficient lighting, an electronic scoreboard system, and the completion of the club's outdoor LED floodlighting project.

Ballinabrackey GAA Club has received €30,000 to help refurbish and modernise its community hall, including renovations to the facility’s bathrooms and kitchen.

The 9th Westmeath Milltownpass Scout Group has been awarded €10,078 towards the appointment of an integrated consultant team for the development of a new scout den and community facility.

Yellow River’s Local Community Fund has provided €115,377 to 17 grassroots projects and initiatives. Among these is Rhode STEAM Club, which has been awarded €4,500 for training kits and workshop facilitation to develop young people's skills in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).

Others to receive funding include St Ciarán's National School in Castlejordan, which has received €11,950 towards the installation of a solar panel and battery storage system, helping to reduce energy costs and support the school's sustainability ambitions.

Rhode Tidy Towns has been awarded €9,776 to develop a Biodiversity Action Plan which aims to support greater awareness of and participation in local conservation efforts.

Other Offaly groups to benefit include North Offaly Community Development Network €10,000; Edenderry Tidy Towns €2,000; Ballybryan National School €10,500; Croghan Pure Mile Group €2,000; St Brigid’s Boxing Club Edenderry €6,994; Fahy Cross Handball Club €4,000; Rhode Croghan Community Games €2,000; Edenderry Athletic Club €2,500; Scoil Mhuire Naofa Rhode €19,950; Clonmore Harps €7,995; Edenderry Rugby Football Club €8,000; Scoil Mhuire Naofa an Ród Parents Association €1,912; St Brigid’s Hurling Club €7,500

Ciaran Maguire, Onshore Wind General Manager for Ireland at SSE Renewables, said: “We’re proud to celebrate the first awards from the Yellow River Community Benefit Fund and the positive impact these will have on communities across Offaly, Meath and Westmeath. Supporting the communities closest to our wind farm operations is an important part of how we do business, and this fund helps ensure the benefits of renewable energy are shared locally.

“It’s fantastic to see such a diverse range of local organisations, volunteers and community groups receiving support in the fund's inaugural year, reflecting the priorities and ambition of local communities. From education and biodiversity initiatives to sports development and community facilities, these projects will deliver lasting value, and we look forward to seeing the difference they make in the years ahead.”

The Yellow River fund is overseen by a local Community Benefit Fund Committee, made up of representatives from communities surrounding the wind farm. The Committee is responsible for assessing applications and awarding funding to ensure the fund provides impactful projects within the locality of the wind farm.

Eugene Mulligan, Yellow River Community Benefit Fund Committee Member, said: “The first year of the Yellow River Community Benefit Fund attracted a strong response from community groups across the area, with a wide range of high-quality applications submitted.

“The committee's role is to ensure that funding is awarded fairly and transparently to projects that will deliver meaningful benefits for local communities. We are delighted to see such a diverse range of initiatives receiving support and look forward to seeing these projects come to life.”

James Murphy, Chairperson, Rhode GAA Club, said: “This funding is a significant boost for our club and the wider community as we continue to develop and improve the facilities at Fr. Dowling Park. The investment will support a range of important upgrades, including renewable energy generation, energy-efficient lighting, enhanced community amenities and sports infrastructure improvements. These developments will benefit not only our members, but also the many local groups and residents who use our facilities throughout the year.”

Chrissie Maguire, Rhode Tidy Towns, said the funding to the group would “help us take a more strategic approach to protecting and enhancing local biodiversity, while also encouraging greater awareness and participation across the community. It is an important investment in the long-term environmental wellbeing of our area and will help us build momentum around local conservation efforts.”