Brigit’s Garden is adding a new renewable energy trail that is the first of its kind in the west of Ireland.
The Nature’s Power Trail will feature solar, wind and other technologies with interactive elements to enable visitors of all ages to learn about natural sources of energy.
The €60,000 project is being funded by the Science Foundation Ireland and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and is due to be opened in autumn 2014.
Jenny Beale, director at Brigit’s Garden, says the new trail will be fun and exciting.
“This is a very exciting development and we hope it will inspire people to consider renewable devices for their own homes and businesses. It will also be a fabulous resource for educating and inspiring primary and secondary school students about renewable energy.”
The project is a partnership among the award-winning Celtic gardens in Roscahill, Tipperary Energy Agency, the Ryan Institute in NUI Galway, and the College of Engineering and Informatics in NUI Galway.
Tipperary Energy Agency will oversee the installation of the renewable technologies, while researchers and third level students from NUI Galway will help develop the interactive elements and assist on peer education programmes with younger students. There will also be an open competition for artists to design a kinetic sculpture driven by solar panels.
