Environmentalism and Biodiversity: Ballinahown's sustainability projects
“Our ethos in Ballinahown has always been about sustainability and climate action. We find creative solutions to meet our needs. That is how the village has grown in the way that it has,” Helen Conneely, Chairperson of Ballinahown Community Development, explained.
“Three years ago we commissioned a biodiversity plan, and there were maybe 90 objectives in that, and we've tried or reached about 70, 75 of them. Everything is around sustainability, around biodiversity.”
A selection of the projects that have been developed in Ballinahown include: A new walkway through the village which acts as a central artery connecting all of its facilities, zero-cost LED lighting along the walkway, rainwater harvesting, traffic calming measures outside the primary school, the installation of a history timeline, and improvements in the village playground. Two of the most innovative and influential developments have been the LED lighting and rainwater harvesting projects.
The LED lighting system is solar-powered and pedestrian-activated and is installed along the Slí na hAbhainn walkway in the village. While most street lights are fully energised from dusk until dawn, these lights operate on a dim setting and then move to full lighting once activated by pedestrians. It costs approximately 30% of the regular installation price compared to standard street lighting and will have zero operating costs.
On the rainwater harvesting project, Helen explained that “a couple of years ago we completed a water management plan, which looks at the impact on our rivers and rainwater. There were around 35 recommendations, and, for example, one of them was the rainwater garden. So, when the rain comes down and runs out onto the carpark, it's captured within that garden, and that filters the water, which means when it gets back into the water course it is cleaner. So it is simple actions like that, collecting rainwater for plants. Instead of utilising say, mains water, we use rainwater for watering plants. We are about 70% of the way there. That's the kind of things we do. It's cost effective because you're using your own resources.”
Cllr Dolan was quick to emphasise that this work did not all happen overnight: “Take the likes of the solar lights. This just hasn't happened over the last year or two years, it's probably been building for maybe 10 years to this point. It's a neat village.
“It's important to know that we can have things looking nice but also look after the environment. The competition is not just about being tidy, it's focusing on the environment as well. We have taken a number of initiatives. A number of houses have dealt with their sewerage with reed beds. We can look into doing something bigger like that in the village. That's probably one of the next projects ahead.
“I often would be travelling to different events over the country, and when you say where you're from, people say 'oh that's Ballinahown, that's a lovely village, that we know so well'. When you're from the area, I won't say you take it for granted, you know, we're kind of used to how Ballinahown is, we kind of forget that it's as unique as it is. I think we're one of the smallest villages that's in [the competition]. Probably from that side, we're a little bit unique!”