SSE Renewables has awarded over €71,000 to 24 community groups operating around the Meentycat Wind Farm in Co. Donegal.

Those who benefitted from the 2023 Meentycat Community Fund included schools, sports clubs and community centres. This brings the total donated to community groups in County Donegal since 2007 to €1.5 million.

Drumkeen United Football Club is putting this year's contribution towards upgrading pitch flood lights.

Willie Boyle, Secretary, Drumkeen United Football Club said: "The current lights have been in place for over 10 years and some of them are not working at all. With help from the SSE Renewables community fund, we can fully upgrade the flood lights on our training pitches. The new lighting will allow us to deliver better training sessions for all our teams, it will also allow more teams to use the facilities at the same time and it will improve energy efficiency. The up-to-date facilities and lighting is a great benefit to members of the wider community to maintain and improve their levels of mental as well as physical health."

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Julie McGee, Principal, Welchtown National School stated: "Currently the school has two attics with no insulation and as a result the school has costly energy bills and a build up of moisture. Attic insulation will be installed through funding from SSE Renewables, and as a result the school will be more comfortable for pupils, staff and parents, and energy bills will be reduced. It will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the school's energy rating."

Anne Reynolds, Community Development Officer, said: "SSE Renewables is really proud to be making a difference in communities in Co. Donegal. We’ve been presenting communities here with funding since 2007 and this latest funding brings our total funding in the area to over €1.5 million. Through the financial assistance of over €71,000 awarded from Meentycat wind farm recently 24 community groups were able to deliver a range of energy efficient and sustainable measures."

Other projects supported include:

• Lighting project at Gairmscoil Chú Uladh, Curragh Athletic FC, Dooish National School, Raphoe Cathedral • Hall Management Committee, Setanta Hurling Club, Thiepval Memorial Hall and Twin Town Boxing club.

• Pitch lighting upgrade ar Sean MacCumhaills Minor Board

• Insulation project at Kilteevogue Parish Parochial Committee

• Equipment upgrades at an 6th Stranorlar Scouts, Cuanannie Adult Day Centre, Ballybofey United Football Club, Deele College, Finn Valley Rugby Football Club, Gleneely National School and Planet Youth.

• Landscaping and native tree planting for Cappry Residents Association.

• Funding towards replacement windows at Cloghan Childcare.

• Funding to install an EV charger at the Killygordon National School.

• Funding for Irish signage for Gaeltacht applied by Ionad Oidhreachta Isacc Butt.

• Funding for solar panels for Finn Harps Co-Operative Society.

• Funding to run their training programme for Finn Valley Ladies Football Club.