Electricity grid operator backs East Cork biodiversity restoration project
Robert Fennelly, lead senior ecologist at EirGrid; Michelle Walsh, community liaison officer EirGrid; Mark Falvey, climate action worker Youghal Blue and Green Community Network; Claudia Pascali, Flynn Furey Environmental Consultants; Eoghan O’Sullivan, community liaison officer EirGrid; Ronan Lynch, fisheries liaison officer, EirGrid.
The event was hosted by EirGrid, which operates the national electricity grid, and was held in support of An Taisce Climate Action Week, and in collaboration with the Youghal Blue and Green Community Network.
Robert Fennelly, lead senior ecologist with EirGrid, spoke about the biodiversity measures being implemented by the company as part of its grid infrastructure development, including the sub-sea Celtic Interconnector.
The audience also heard from Kieran O’Sullivan from Ballintotis Community Council, who said funding from the Celtic Interconnector Community Benefit Fund was helping tackle invasive species in the Loughaderra proposed Natural Heritage Area, an important water feature along the N25.
Since 2022, EirGrid has spent €543,815 in funding for biodiversity projects in areas hosting the Celtic Interconnector project, which will link the electricity grids of Ireland and France.
As part of construction works for the Celtic Interconnector, the sand dunes located between the pedestrian walkway and the main beach had been partially damaged by the creation of temporary access paths for machinery.
Under the direction of ecologists from EirGrid and Flynn Furney Environmental Consultants, the team recently began the restoration of the affected dunes at Claycastle Beach.
The team transplanted Marram grass from more densely vegetated dune areas by the Youghal boardwalk to the impacted section.
The success of this restoration effort will be monitored over time.
Mr Fennelly said that the project was in line with EirGrid’s policy to follow a nature-inclusive design approach to all its infrastructure development work.
“Marram grass provides a vital habitat for a wide range of species and plays a crucial role in stabilising sand dunes, which act as natural coastal flood defence,” he said.
“We hope this initiative will not only restore the dunes, but also serve as a foundation for a broader community-led approach to dune management in the Claycastle area.”
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