Who lived in a house like this...
This derelict cottage was once the Quinn family home, where sisters Ailish O’Boyle and Mary Dawson grew up with their other sisters and brothers who now live all over the world. They have all welcomed the news that the cottage has been partially renovated to become a stop-off point on the Leghowney Loop trail, which winds its way through the Meenadreen Wind Farm.
(Pictured: Ailish and Mary standing on the site of the former Quinn family home)
The Quinn family
(Pictured: Quinn siblings with their mother outside family home in Straness)
Ailish was the youngest of her siblings and was born in the cottage in the townland of Straness, now part of the Meenadreen Wind Farm. She told us, “Our father always said the townland of Straness would be famous some day and he’d be delighted to see it become a focus of employment and such happiness to all the walkers through the wind farm.
“We’d like to thank the Energia Operations team for taking the time to explain their plans to us and for showing such an interest in our family home, allowing us to recall our family history by turning the cottage into a living project.”
Revisiting the past
Mary Dawson says she and the rest of her siblings, children and grandchildren were delighted to hear that the cottage was being renovated. She says it was an odd experience seeing the overgrown ruins but, as soon as the site was cleared and ready for renovation works to begin, her emotional connection to the old family home was restored:
“The grandchildren are really interested in the technology and in the turbines. They’re also fascinated with the way things were when Ailish and I were growing up on the mountain. They ask about how we got to school, how we survived without electricity and how we celebrated Christmas – so many questions.”
May 2023: Renovations underway
The renovation project was the idea of Brian Mullen, Head of Energia Renewables Operations, who was driving past the site one day and wondering to himself who used to live there. He says, “The Meenadreen Wind Farm Operations team are really excited about the renovations, which will enhance the site for walkers on the Leghowney Loop trail. Once completed, the renovated Quinn family cottage will improve the walking trails through the wind farm, preserving an important link with its history and the local community.
“At a national level, Meenadreen Wind Farm is playing a vital part in Ireland’s transition to a clean energy future and meeting Climate Action targets. Meanwhile, at a local level, we’re keen to see the wind farm bring benefits to the local community.”
July 2024: Site cleared
Little remains of the walls but existing stone work will be repaired and a new roof will provide shelter for walkers.
April 2024: Quinn homestead on the map
Our stone masons have put the Quinn family homestead on the map, or rather back on the map after it fell into disrepair.
The cottage was built in the mid-1850s and, thanks to information and old photographs supplied by the Quinn family themselves, visitors to the site can now find out more about who lived in the cottage and life on the mountain.
Rebuilding wall sections to outline the original layout of the house, together with the addition of signage about its history and the Quinn family who lived there, will offer visitors an opportunity to take a trip back in time.
June 2024: A lick of paint
All taking shape for the official unveiling in time for Global Wind Day 15th June 2024...
A lick of white paint makes all the difference.
Three generations of the Quinn family attended the official opening of the partially-restored cottage for Global Wind Day – 15th June 2024. Here’s our head of Operations, Brian Mullen, with Ailish, her brother John Joe, nephew Pauric and grandson Charlie.
Pauric Quinn said: “This has been a great opportunity for me to visit and see where it all began for my dad’s family in Straness. It's fantastic to see the cottage restored so that many others will get a chance to appreciate a bit of the history of the mountain and the diversity of the landscape.”
June 2024: Brothers and sisters back home
John Joe, son of John Quinn, whose photograph now hangs on the wall inside the renovated homestead, said: “I am delighted and proud to see the cottage restored. I have so many fond memories of the cottage with my family. The generations that were here before me lived through different times, facing challenges throughout their daily life.
"We have had great neighbours over the years, who have worked the land and lived together here on the mountain. We lived through some great times, and I am glad this restored cottage will keep the memory of our family history alive”.
Contact us
If you have any questions about our operational wind farms, development sites, battery storage facilities or community engagement projects like this one, please contact our Community Liaison Officers by email at clo@energia.ie, or phone +353 (0)87 9944952.
