May 6, 2026

Free Community Energy Evenings Coming to Clare GAA Clubs

Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) is rolling out a series of free Community Energy Evenings in GAA clubs and community halls across County Clare to help households and communities cut energy bills and access supports.

Speaking on Clare FM’s Morning Focus, CLDC Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) Mentor Denise O’Brien and Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA Chair Freddy McInerney explained that the sessions will offer practical, no‑pressure advice on everything from understanding your energy bill to applying for SEAI grants.

“You Have to Meet People Where They’re At”

Denise, whose role with CLDC is supported through the SEAI Sustainable Energy Communities programme, told presenter Alan Morrissey that energy is a critical issue for both households and community facilities, and that the aim is a “just transition” that includes everyone.

“Energy is a huge issue in households and communities,” she said. “There’s a whole issue of energy poverty in certain parts of the county. One of the things we do here in CLDC is look at what we call ‘just transition’. You have to meet people where they’re at.”

She stressed that the evenings are designed to be accessible to everyone, not just those already thinking about solar panels or deep retrofits. “There might be people there who want to know how to read their bill properly or what tariff they’re on,” she added. “There’s no question too silly or too small.”


What Will Be Covered?

The Community Energy Evenings will bring together CLDC staff, SEAI supports and local voices to walk people through the options available.

On the night, attendees can expect information on:

  • SEAI grants for home energy upgrades such as insulation, solar PV and heat pumps
  • The Warmer Homes Scheme and supports for eligible lower‑income households
  • Simple, low‑cost steps to save energy in the home
  • How local groups can register as Sustainable Energy Communities and develop a Community Energy Master Plan
  • The SEAI “learn–plan–do” journey, and how CLDC mentors can support communities from first contact through to audits and funding applications

“It’s really just a free information session for anyone that’s interested,” Denise said. “Come down for a cup of tea, meet the neighbours, meet us. We don’t want it to be a lofty topic where people feel, ‘I can’t engage with that.’”


Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA Leading the Way

Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA is among the first clubs to host an evening as it looks to upgrade its facilities and plan for a new athletic development centre and community hub.

Club Chair Freddy McInerney said the club wants to understand what supports are available as it plans ahead. “We have a facility that’s almost 50 years old,” he explained. “We want to see what’s available by way of grants to re‑energise it from an energy point of view — solar panels, the heating system. This will educate us before we start that project, and it’ll also educate other people within the community.”

Listen back to Clare FM Morning Focus for chat with Denise O’Brien, SEC Mentor for Clare Local Development Company

With almost 900 members and strong links to four local primary schools, the club plays a central role in village life. “The hurling club in Newmarket is central to the community,” Freddy said. “After COVID, people can still feel a little bit isolated. We’re hoping this will draw them back in — get them out of their houses and into the club.”

He also pointed to the wider context of rising costs. Working in a local hardware business, he sees first‑hand how construction and retrofit costs have increased. “You have a lot of people on the margins,” he noted. “Information is power — the more you can garner, the better.”

How Communities Can Get Involved

Any community group, club, school, parish or residents’ association in Clare can start their own energy journey by registering as a Sustainable Energy Community on SEAI’s website. Once registered, they can access mentoring support from CLDC to help them through the “learn–plan–do” process, including energy audits and building a register of opportunities for funding.

Denise encouraged any group not already in contact with CLDC to reach out and start a conversation.

Upcoming Free Events

The first three Community Energy Evenings announced on Morning Focus are:

  • Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA Clubhouse – Tuesday 12 May, 7.00pm
  • Mountshannon, East Clare – Thursday 21 May, 7.00pm
  • Cloonalea – Saturday 6 June, 11.00am–1.00pm (family‑friendly event with information stalls, including solar PV providers)

All events are free, open to everyone and require no booking.

For more information on CLDC’s Sustainable Energy Communities work or to discuss support for your local group, visit cldc.ie and contact Denise O’Brien, SEC Mentor, via the details on the site.

You can listen back to the full “Clare Local Development Company Community Energy Evenings” interview on Clare FM’s SoundCloud channel. Link also embedded further up on this article.