11 towns and villages in the west of Ireland are to be added to the natural gas grid in a major extension of the existing network.
The announcement was made today by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey.
The gas will be delivered through a 150 kilometre long pipeline, which has been built to link the Corrib Gas field off the Co Mayo coast to the Bord Gáis network near Craughwell, Co Galway.
The decision – made after consultation with the Commission for Energy Regulation and An Bord Gáis – to add the towns in Galway and Mayo to the national grid follows a strong campaign by the Western Development Commission and local politicians.
The main the towns to be added to the network are Athenry, Tuam, Claremorris, Ballyhaunis, Castlebar, Westport and Ballina.
Four smaller areas – Craughwell, Headford, Knock and Crossmolina – are also included.
