Energia Group, one of Ireland’s leading energy companies, is celebrating Global Wind Day on Thursday 15^th June with the unveiling of a new sculpture on its largest wind farm in County Donegal. 

The 90MW Meenadreen Wind Farm Extension in Leghowney, outside Donegal Town, is now home to a three-metre steel sculpture of a walker, which has been created by local Donegal-based sculptor, Redmond Herrity.

The Walker has been installed at an intersection of three paths in the middle of the wind farm on the 7km International Appalachian Trail (IAT). The Ulster-Ireland IAT starts at the cliffs of Slieve League in Co. Donegal and ends at the County Antrim port of Larne, stretching through the Meenadreen wind farm with spectacular views of Donegal Bay and resting points at regular intervals.

Energia Group’s Meenadreen Extension Site Supervisor, Jason Doherty, said: “Meenadreen Wind Farm is playing a vital part in Ireland’s transition to a clean energy future and meeting Climate Action targets.  However, we are also proud to host the International Appalachian Trail which weaves its way past our wind turbines and now this impressive sculpture, which has been unveiled to celebrate Global Wind Day.”

The sculpture was commissioned by the Donegal Local Development Company CLG, a community-led organisation, which promotes local walking trails.  Rural Recreation Officer, Inga Bock said: “We are working to develop local outdoor recreation walks.  We were really keen to work with local sculptor, Redmond Herrity, who has created a series of sculptures which will be installed along popular trails.  We’ve chosen this location for the Walker, right in the middle of the wind farm, so that you have to walk here to see it and it is an impressive sight as you turn the corner and come up or down the hill.”

Seeing his sculpture installed in the wind farm with a backdrop of forest and turbines, Redmond Herrity said: “I’m very excited to be part of such a great project and I’m delighted that this 3-meter high Corten steel figure will be on show for walkers to admire and to be there as a focal point or even to guide people in the right direction. This is my third sculpture for the Appalachian Trail in Donegal and I am looking forward to seeing it along the way.”

Meenadreen Windfarm is one of a portfolio of 15 wind farm sites owned and operated by Energia Group. The total generation capacity of all their wind farms is 309MW. That’s enough energy to meet the average annual electricity needs for almost a quarter of a million homes across the island of Ireland, accounting for 21% of Ireland’s total wind power capacity.