A community centre in Co. Meath has shown other centres the way when it comes to energy efficiency, carbon reduction efforts and saving money. Actions taken over the years have saved the centre €14,000 per annum on energy costs while reducing emissions by 14 tonnes of CO2 annually.

Dunshaughlin Community Centre manager Gerry O’Connor, delighted with a recent award win, contacted Changing Ireland on behalf of the centre which is now 100% self-sufficient in terms of energy usage, between the hours of 8am to 6pm.

The centre – 25 years in operation – is open for over 100 hours per week and offers a community gym, sports hall, dance studios and a community hub. It also provides the PE facilities for the adjacent Dunshaughlin Community College during school term.

As it expanded over the years, it also sought to reduce its energy usage, starting back in 2012 when, with support from Meath Partnership, it hired consultants to conduct an energy audit.

• Dunshaughlin Community Centre was delighted to win the Meath Chronicle’s Green Project of the Year Award. Pictured: John Irwin, board member, Oliver McKenna, chairperson, and centre manager (Cllr) Gerry O’Connor.

“The subsequent report quantified our annual electricity usage at 80mw and gave a list of recommended actions to reduce this usage and to reduce our CO2 emissions. The Centre at the time was open 80 hours per week,” said Gerry who also serves as a county councillor.

“Over the years we have used these recommendations as finance allowed to reduce our usage. We implemented measures such as LED lighting, sensor lighting in seldom used areas, switching off sockets / screens, gym equipment, and so on, at close of business,” he said.

“In 2023 we conducted another energy survey. We were now opened for 100 hours and had added a 2000 square foot extension. The measures we had implemented had worked, with our energy usage reduced to 64mw per annum.

“We applied for the Climate Action Fund through Meath County Council last year and were granted funding for 110 Solar Panels and a 50kw three phase inverter. These have now been installed, and we are 100% self-sufficient currently from 8am until 6pm, with excess energy being exported back to the grid. The system will reduce our emissions further by 14 tonne of CO2 and our energy costs by €14k per annum,” said Cllr. O’Connor.

The centre was formally recognised for its efforts at the Meath Chronicle Community and Sports Awards held on May 22, winning the Green Project of the Year Award.

Dunshaughlin Community Centre is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, through Pobal which administers the Community Services Programme and the Community Centre Investment Fund.

The centre was opened in 2000 by President Mary McAleese and will be celebrating 25 years of supporting the local community this October.