January 21, 2026

Wind Turbine Blades Repurposed into Kilrush Bridge and Furniture

Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) is teaming up with BladeBridge to turn old wind turbine blades into strong community spaces. It will culminate in Ireland’s first “BladeBridge” walkway at Vandeleur Gardens in Kilrush.

This smart project reuses tough materials that are hard to recycle, creating outdoor seats and paths. Backed by a €50,000 government grant, it tackles Ireland’s wind farm waste while boosting local green efforts.

The Waste Challenge

Ireland will soon decommission thousands of tonnes of wind turbine blades—11,000 by 2026 and 12,000 more by 2030. Wind turbine blades are made from glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) — a strong, durable material.

Wind turbines have a life cycle of 20–30 years, after which blades are replaced or decommissioned. These blades stand up to the country’s high rainfall but can’t be recycled easily. In the absence of commercial recycling options, they end up in landfills or incinerators.


The BladeBridge initiative, developed by Cork-based researchers from the Re-Wind Network, repurposes them into high-value public assets, displacing carbon-heavy materials like steel and concrete.

Key Project Elements

CLDC and BladeBridge used locally sourced blades to make real, everyday items:

  • Pedestrian Bridge (“The BladeBridge”): In the process of being built at busy Vandeleur Gardens with Coillte’s help. Blades form main supports, topped with Irish forest wood beams. Cost: €49,000, paid by the grant and Coillte. It’s easy to reach and shows off local sustainability efforts to visitors amid Ireland’s growing wind energy decommissioning challenge.
  • Outdoor Furniture: A bench, picnic table, and fun “tri-bench” shaped like turbine blades. Blades form the base, topped with sturdy wood. Cost: €5,300.

All fabricating occurred locally: blades from Ireland, design and manufacture in Spanish Point, installation in Kilrush, maximising community benefits.

Repurposed turbine blades are made from glass fibre and resin, a stable material well known for its use in boat hulls. They are sealed with a durable protective coating to prevent the release of any potential pollutants and are considered safe for long-term use.  Many Irish wind turbine blades will be retired in the coming years. Reusing this material to replace imported, energy intensive new materials such as steel, greatly reduces the environmental impact of building new infrastructure.

Partners Involved and Recognition

  • CLDC:  As County Clare’s local development company, CLDC (through its Rural Recreation Programme) manages 400km of trails (Burren Way, Cliffs of Moher, Blackhead Loop) and programmes like LEADER, SICAP, LAES, and Rural Recreation. Eoin Hogan, Rural Recreation Officer, is leading this project.
  • BladeBridge: Experts from Munster Technological University and University College Cork who turn blades into bridges and seats.
  • Award: Won the 2023 UIAA Mountain Protection Award for ‘Best New Initiative’.

Funding and Next Steps

A €50,000 grant from the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment’s Circular Economy scheme has helped fund the project. It helps Ireland go greener and advances the country’s circular transition.

BladeBridge plans to scale to standardised kits for bridges, e-mobility shelters, and coastal paths, offering a replicable model as offshore wind expands. This reduces waste and emissions and educates visitors on renewable energy lifecycles in the county.

For more detail on this project check out Eoin Hogan’s article in this month’s Lasmuigh Magazine (Issue 7)