RURAL communities in different parts of East Galway have been warned this week of the negative impact that proposed ‘giant turbine’ wind farms could have on their lives.

Action committees opposing the scale and locations of the wind farms have been set up in Belclare, Barnaderg, Corofin, Caherlistrane, Kilconly, Moylough and Sylane as fears grow over what have been described as ‘monstrous developments’.

Tom Quirke of the Barnaderg-Cooloo Action Group said that the last couple of months had been a huge learning curve as communities realised the scale of the developments proposed.

“We are talking here about turbines 180-metres [nearly 600 feet]  tall that will completely overshadow nearby houses.

“To put some perspective on the size of these turbines, they would be taller than the height of Knockroe Hill in Abbeyknockmoy as measured from sea level.

“Now is the time for people to realise what is happening and to take action,” said Tom Quirke.

He said that there were also a whole range of health issues that could arise from wind farms for people living nearby including infrasound – a low frequency sound emission.

Caption: Cloonbar Bog, where one of the Caherlistrane-Kilconly turbines will be situated should the wind farm development go ahead.

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