Massive 80 metre mast to be installed near Laois village

An 80 metre tall met mast is to be installed on Cullohill Mountain this month.

Galetech Energy Developments are assessing the potential for a wind farm in the Cullahill area of Co. Laois, following a desktop survey that identified the area as having suitable conditions.

A measurement mast, also known as meteorological tower or meteorological mast (met tower or met mast), is a tower which
carries measuring instruments with meteorological instruments, such as thermometers and instruments to measure
wind speed.

Pictured: The mast that will be installed. Photo courtesy of Galetech Energy Developments

"At this stage, we are in the very early phases of assessing the feasibility studies to  explore the suitability for potential renewable energy opportunities," a representative told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"These studies will help us determine whether the location is viable before any specific plans are developed.

 "As this work progress, we are committed to engaging with the local community and stakeholders to ensure transparency and collaboration throughout the process. Should there be any significant developments, we would be happy to provide further updates in due course," they finished.

A public meeting was held on Tuesday March 4 to discuss a proposed windfarm for Cullohill.

Pictured: The location of the 80 metre met mast

Local man Roger Day has lived on Cullohill Mountain for over 27 years, and has organised this public meeting to raise awareness on the proposed windfarm.

Concerned residents gathered to discuss the proposed 80 acre windfarm has been proposed for on top of Cullohill Mountain, an area protected by Special Area of Conservation under the European Union Habitats Directive.

In 2016, an appeal was made to erect wind turbines on the mountain, which was fought by locals. This led to the withdrawal of the developer due to costs and objections.

“One of the grounds of refusal for this area was that these turbines were adjacent to an SAC, special area of conservation,” Mr Day explained.

“We were surprised to see a pamphlet circulated locally with information on a newly proposed development on the mountain. These large international companies can decide the future of our areas.

“I’m unimportant, I am just one person with one house. How I feel is a single fact- if we allow this to go on, it will decimate an area of outstanding natural beauty.

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"An area with the finest views in the county. It will decimate the pubs, the farms and all local tourism. It will devalue properties, and for what?" Mr Day asked.

"I am not against wind farms, I thin k there should be wind energy. But there are plenty of other places this wind farm could go,” he said.

“We are saying not in our backyard, because it is special, it is a Protected Special Area. Our community is at stake,” Mr Day said.

Currently, Laois has two wind farms: Bruckana Wind Farm in Baunaghra, and Gortahile Windfarm hear Kilgorey in the south east of the county.