Cork residents take protest to Dublin against Celtic Interconnector project

The Knockraha Environment Group met with EirGrid today to protest against the potential locations of a power converter station for the Celtic Interconnector project.

The East Cork group has nearly 1,000 signatures on petitions objecting to the Celtic Interconnector, which will connect France and Ireland’s electricity supply.

The group object to building a 700 MW EirGrid power convertor in their rural community and travelled to Dublin to protest outside EirGrid’s offices.

EirGrid has shortlisted three sites for the converter station. Two of the proposed sites lie close to Knockraha.

One is in Kilquane, roughly 2km north of the village.

EirGrid describes this as the “best performing” potential site.

The Knockraha Environment Group group say they have concerns about this site due to its “historical significance.” This Kilquane site lies close to an area called ‘The Rea’, which locals believe was an execution site and burial ground used by the IRA during the War of Independence.

Another potential site is in Knockraha village itself beside an already-existing power station. Locals object to this power station’s expansion.

EirGrid’s third proposed site is at Ballyadam near Carrigtwohill.

In late 2019, Eirgrid undertook public consultations within East Cork on the Celtic Interconnector. Submissions on the project can be made until midnight on Sunday, February 2.