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Harbour view of Whitegate
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ENACT

Energy Narratives and Change in Coastal Communities in Ireland

Community tour of Aghada Gas Plant
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Environmental Humanities and Social Science

Social Science Methods

A photo showing the mapping process of a Kilrush map with postit notes of participants thoughts and inputs
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ENACT

Engaged Research and Community Outreach

View of the river Shannon close by to the power plant money point

Energy Narratives and Change in Coastal Communities in Ireland ENACT


Energy Narratives and Change in Coastal Communities in Ireland (ENACT) is a Marine Institute-funded project at University College Dublin. It explores communities' experiences of energy infrastructure and energy transition in their area. It hopes to learn and generate community narratives of their experience of energy in their area and the oncoming experience of energy transition. 

ENACT has two site locations. The first of these is Kilrush, Co. Clare, which is home to the coal-fired power plant Moneypoint. The ESB’s Green Atlantic @ Moneypoint project plans to turn this site into a location for green energy, by making the plant into an onshore hub for electricity generated by offshore wind farms. The  second location is in Co.Cork in the Whitegate/Aghada region. This area is home to Ireland’s only oil refinery, owned by Canadian Company Irving Oil. A short walk away is the ESB’s Aghada power plant, burning natural gas and diesel. In the Offshore Renewable Development Plan II (OREDP2), coastal areas nearby have been proposed as possible sites for offshore wind farms. 

Our aim  is to gather information about how communities experience changes associated with the energy transition, how they feel about them, how their voices can be heard, and how meaningful participation in the energy transition can take place. 

If you wish to be involved in our 'engagement groups' or stay up to date with our community events here is a link to a form click to join our sign up for for either Whitegate/Aghada or Kilrush:

(opens in a new window)Whitegate Engagement Group and Interest Form

(opens in a new window)Kilrush Engagement and Interest Form