The efforts of the Attymass community in expressing their strong preferred option of an underground route for Eirgrid’s North Connacht 110kV power line project, was commended by councillors at today’s monthly meeting of Ballina Municipal District.

A well organised opposition campaign to any over ground route that would require the installation of large pylons, was organised by local women Anita Ginneally and Mairead Melody, among others. The group had to get their campaign together without any public meetings due to the pandemic Lockdown Restrictions.

They did so very effectively, according to elected councillors and were praised for their engagement with the public consultation process that was extended by Eirgrid.

The proposed power line will run from Ballina to Ballaghaderreen, and has been designed to cater for increased renewable energy capacity in the region into the future, and will also secure the power supply into the north Mayo region.

It will be the longest underground line in Ireland, at approximately 60 km in length.

Eirgrid has announced that it is to seek planning permission for an underground option to provide the 110 kV line.