Visitors to a popular walking trail at Donegal’s largest wind farm are being greeted by a new steel sculpture which will be officially unveiled this week.
The Energia Group is celebrating Global Wind Day on Thursday, June 15 with the unveiling of the new sculture at the 90MW Meenadreen Wind Farm Extension in Leghowney, outside Donegal Town.
The wind farm is now home to a three-metre steel sculpture of a walker, which has been created by Donegal-based sculptor, Redmond Herrity.
The Walker has been installed at an intersection of three paths in the middle of the wind farm on the 7km International Appalachian Trail.
The trail starts and ends at Leghowney Community Hall, stretching through the wind farm with spectacular views of Donegal Bay and resting points at regular intervals.
Energia Group’s Meenadreen Extension Site Supervisor, Jason Doherty, said: “Meenadreen Wind Farm is playing a vital part in Ireland’s transition to a clean energy future and meeting Climate Action targets. However, we are also proud to host the International Appalachian Trail walking trail, which weaves its way past our wind turbines and now this impressive sculpture, which has been unveiled to celebrate Global Wind Day.”
The sculpture was commissioned by the Donegal Local Development Company CLG, a community-led organisation, which promotes local walking trails.
Rural Recreation Officer, Simon Canning, said: “We are working to develop local outdoor recreation walks.
We were really keen to work with local sculptor, Redmond Herrity, who has created a series of sculptures which will be installed along popular trails.
“We’ve chosen this location for the Walker, right in the middle of the wind farm, so that you have to walk here to see it and it is an impressive sight as you turn the corner and come up or down the hill.”
Seeing his sculpture installed in the wind farm with a backdrop of forest and turbines, Redmond Herrity said he was delighted that the 3-meter high Corten steel figure will be on show for walkers to admire and to be there as a focal point or even to guide people in the right direction.
“This is my third sculpture for the Appalachian Trail in Donegal and I am looking forward to seeing it along the way,” he said
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