Three Co Monaghan sports clubs are among the biggest winners in this year's round of the SSE East Cavan and Monaghan Community Fund, which has paid out €164,279 to 25 local groups, the energy company announced on Tuesday 20 October.

The fund is paid for by SSE Renewables' three wind farms in the region: Mullananalt in Co Monaghan, and Bindoo and Gartnaneane in east Cavan. According to SSE, the three sites have a combined capacity of 70MW, enough to power more than 30,000 homes.

Who got what

This year €154,779 went to 15 community projects, with a further €9,500 shared out in microgrants among 10 smaller initiatives. SSE named eight of the main awards:

Those eight account for €123,066 between them. SSE did not list the other seven main awards or the microgrant recipients in its announcement.

The playgroup's €30,000 is the largest single award. SSE said the fire safety works will "further strengthen its role as a community childcare hub". An earlier case study on SSE's fund page describes Rainbow Kids Playgroup turning a local property in Kill, near the Bindoo wind farm, into an after-school service for about 40 children.

What the money will pay for

Across the 15 projects, SSE said the money will go on energy upgrades at community centres, schools and sports grounds, solar panels and battery storage, LED lighting to cut running costs, projects for older people and vulnerable groups, and equipment and training for volunteer first responders.

The company expects the grants to draw in more than €60,000 in match funding, bringing the total value of the work to over €216,000, and says the projects will benefit more than 25,000 people.

"For more than 20 years, this fund has helped local groups invest in facilities, services and initiatives that strengthen communities and improve quality of life for local people," said Jacqueline Durnin, SSE's Community Investment Manager.

A bigger pot than advertised

When applications opened in August, Northern Sound reported that €150,000 was available, for groups within 20km of the three wind farms. Applications from further away could be considered if they showed a clear benefit inside that area, with preference for projects closest to the turbines. The final payout came in about €14,000 above that figure.

The fund was set up in 2004. In August its total stood at more than €2.44 million; with this round, SSE says it has now passed €2.6 million. Applications closed on 15 September. SSE has not yet announced dates for the 2027 round, but groups can ask to be told when it opens by emailing [email protected].

Clubs looking for bigger capital grants can also apply to the Government's Community Sport Facilities Fund, which is open until 26 February (our guide).