Huge sculpture makes its mark at Donegal wind farm

If you are rambling around the countryside outside Donegal Town this weekend don't be shocked if you meet a giant!

Well when you get closer you will discover it's actually a three-metre steel sculpture of a walker and has been erected by the Energia Group on  its largest wind farm in the county to mark Global Wind Day which takes place next Thursday, June 15 

The 90MW Meenadreen Wind Farm Extension in Leghowney, outside Donegal Town, is now home to a three-metre steel sculpture of a walker, which has been created by Letterkenny-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 their 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 that 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 very excited to be part of such a great project and is delighted that his 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."

Meenadreen Windfarm is one of a portfolio of 15 wind farm sites owned and operated by Energia Group. The total generation capacity of all their wind farms is 309MW. That’s enough energy to meet the average annual electricity needs for almost a quarter of a million homes across the island of Ireland, accounting for 21% of Ireland’s total wind power capacity.