ELECTRIC WINDFALL IN KNOCKANURE
A TOTAL of 13 community groups in North Kerry are set to benefit from a shared windfall of over €70,000 courtesy of the national electricity grid operator, EirGrid.
The company last week presented 13 successful projects with their share of the fund, which was launched last April on completion of a a new electricity substation and associated line works in Kilmorna.
Knockanure National School, Scoil Corp Chríost, was the venue for the presentation ceremony, which was attended by Listowel Municipal District Cathaoirleach Aoife Thornton and Eirgrid Corporate and Social Responsibility Manager Derval O’Brien.
The fund will benefit a wide variety of activities and initiatives, including the purchase of uilleann pipes and harps for Listowel/Duagh Comhaltas; the construction of a walkway for community use around the Duagh GAA pitch; and the establishment of a school and community garden at
Scoil Chorp Chríost in Knockanure.
“The fund recognises the importance of local communities to the work we carry out here in Kerry,” Ms O’Brien said as she outlined the nature of the fund at the presentation.
Groups awarded a share of the fund all share one common trait – their proximity to the works newly completed. The geographic boundary of the fund was a 3.5km-radius from the new substation, encompassing the villages of Duagh and Knockanure. All Public Participation Network(PPN) registered community groups within the fund radius were encouraged to apply.
EirGrid said it “sought projects that demonstrate broad community benefit, with a particular focus on community educational initiatives and the provision or enhancement of community infrastructure and amenities”. Kerry County
Council is a partner in administering the fund.