The world’s first solar-powered cycling bench is up for an award

DUN Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has been chosen as a finalist in two categories of this year’s All Ireland Community & Council Awards.

Taking place in Croke Park on Saturday, February 15, the awards are presented by IPB Insurance and LAMA.

The event recognises communities and councils across Ireland whose hard work remains widely unrecognised. Over 400 attendees are expected to turn out to this year’s highly anticipated event.

The council has been chosen in the category of Best Social Housing Initiative for 132 Pottery Road, which is a small development of four A-rated one bedroom apartments on the outskirts of Dún Laoghaire.

With views of the Dublin Mountains and easy access to public transport, these beautifully designed homes are among the most sought-after properties in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council's housing stock.

The world’s first Monna, a solar powered cycling bench, has been selected in the category of Best Energy Smart Initiative. In this initiative the council demonstrated the potential of renewable energy by piloting two solar powered benches with mobile phone and electric bike charging facilities in Dún Laoghaire and Sandyford.

Social enterprises, councils, organisations, projects and individuals working within the community all entered this years’ event, which boasts over 19 categories.

Entrants to this year’s awards, which experienced the highest level of competition yet, were required to provide information on the project they were submitting, the people involved and their achievements over the past year.

The main award, the much anticipated Grand Prix title, goes to the project that has received the highest level of recognition from judges.

Cathaoirleach, Cllr Shay Brennan, said: “I am delighted that the innovative nature of the use of council property has provided for additional high-quality public housing, connected to their communities and close to sustainable transport options.

“Also, the council has consistently shown leadership by being a national test-bed for a wide range of energy innovations, from internal systems to public amenities.

“Monna, the solar powered cycling bench promotes and encourages the use of the natural solar power, which ties in with the council’s goals of promoting a clean and healthy environment.”