SSE and Coillte have awarded over €210,000 to community groups close to Galway Wind Park through the new Local Community Fund. The inaugural Local Fund presentation took place at the Oughterard Community Centre on Wednesday 15 August, with a total of 74 local groups receiving funding for projects focused on energy efficiency; safety; environmental sustainability; social sustainability; recreation and tourism; and education and skills development.

Cumann Beachairí Chonamara (Connemara Beekeepers Association) received a grant towards the funding of our community education programme, as well as new equipment for its lecturers. Frank Conroy, Assistant Secretary at Cumann Beachairí Chonamara, said: “The funding from Galway Wind Park will allow us to roll-out training to our members and increase awareness in the wider community, as well as enabling us to purchase new equipment for our lecturers. It will ultimately help our ambition of furthering the craft of beekeeping across the Connemara region, and the conservation of the native Dark Bee.”

Visits to Tullamore and Leenane, as well as AGM