ALERT: Some old cars now only need NCT every two years after major rule change
Search
12 Sept 2025
Search
12 Sept 2025
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
To continue reading this article, you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles!
Alternatively, you can pay €0.50 per article, capped at €1 per day.
Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism!
File photo
EirGrid has been granted planning permission to upgrade 7.3 kilometres of 110kV power line between Coolnabacky and Portlaoise.
The project will include the replacement of the existing 110kV powerline with higher capacity wiring and the refurbishment of 43 electrical transmission towers. The total area of the work covers an area of approximately 37 hectares.
Aside from the new electrical cable, Eirgrid also plans to run a new fibre cable along the line and to carry out work on existing poles.
The work is planned for Meelick, Money Upper, Rathleague, Hophall, Ballymooney, Money Lower, Dysart, Lamberton Demesne, Derry, Clonminam, Powelstown, Kylekiproe and Cappoley, and Esker.
According to the plans, “the development will consist of refurbishment works to the OHL(Overhead Line). Refurbishment works will vary from each of the existing 43 no. existing electricity transmission towers and will comprise: (i) Replacement (“restringing”) of the existing overhead line conductor wires with a higher capacity conductor; (ii) Installation of a new fibre communication connection between existing wooden intermediate poleset (IMP) 118 to existing angle mast (AM) 145; (iii) Strengthening of 4 no. existing AMs and associated foundations; (iv) Replacement of 26 of the 37 no. existing IMPs with similar structures, except for existing IMP105 to be upgraded to AM (AM105).”
Further work is planned to poles along the line and the work will require “the provision of a construction compound located at either Kylekiproe or Esker, access routes, silt traps, silt fences, stone tracks, ground protection mats, infrastructure crossing support systems (e.g., guard poles and goal posts) and temporary watercourse crossings.”
Also, EirGrid said, “where required, an aerial catenary stringing system (ACSS) will be used to facilitate stringing operations over major obstacles (e.g., national roads, rivers, etc.). The planning application was accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement.
The plans were lodged with Laois County Council in October. The plans have now been approved subject to 13 conditions.
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.
