Ballynagran lies in the heart of County Wicklow the ‘Garden of Ireland ‘and has a wealth of gardens and woodlands such as Deputy’s Pass, Mount Usher Gardens and Kilmacurragh Gardens and Arboreteum within its vicinity.
The Ballynagran Community has embarked on an ambitious and generous project to become an Energy Plus Community within the next fifteen years, focusing on energy consumption in buildings, transportation and food production.
Included within the Ballynagran Community Energy Plus Project are the Townlands that are within 3km of the area and this ‘greater’ area includes approximately 600 homes. Many of the homes are located in the village of Glenealy on the western edge of the community.
The overall mission of this project is to dramatically reduce the energy use of this rural community and eventually to create an energy independent region.
The long term objective is to produce locally a surplus of energy from renewable resources in order to create an energy independent community. Hence the logo
Funding has been secured from Wicklow County Council in association with Greenstar Ballynagran Landfill Community Fund for the first phase of the project, which involves completing an energy audit of every participating home in the study area, retrofitting the local primary school with Passive House Standard materials and an environmental educational programme.
The first year’s effort will provide a very sound basis for subsequent phases which will see the upgrading of homes and business to significantly reduce their energy consumption.
Such works could be done by a Retrofitting Cooperative, owned and operated by the local community, providing sustainable “Green Collar” employment.
Studies into the possibility of establishing a Community Forest, a Community Allotment Scheme and a Community Wind Farm are about to begin. The feasibility of establishing community electric-car-charging points and expanding the current walking trails are also being explored.
Community benefits
Environment – establishing an energy plus community to create a more sustainable environment.
Employment – two persons currently unemployed will be hired to carry out much of the energy audits proposed.
Health – Wicklow is a high risk radon region, and the measurement of radon will identify where remedial measures are required.
Educational – a database detailing the energy use of all houses will provide a valuable research resource.
Image and Reputation – and energy plus community will draw both national and international interest to this region.
Its Your Place, After All!
If you wish to participate in the project and avail of the free energy audit, radon test, light bulbs and other community benefits, please contact us through our website Ballynagran Energy Plus or by post to MosArt, Block 6, BroomHall Business Park, Rathnew, Co Wicklow, Ireland. Visit MosArt’s Webpage MosArt Join your Community at Join Your Community. If you are already a member of this online community Join or Create a Group that interests you at Join or Create a Group.
