Oweninny Wind Farm

Built close to the site of North Mayo’s former peat-fired Bellacorick Power Station, Oweninny Wind Farm now plays a critical role in supporting Ireland’s renewable energy production while the re-wilding of the surrounding peat
bog is bringing essential environmental benefits.

Inside the purpose-built visitor centre we developed an interpretive experience that makes connections between the past, present and future of Oweninny – delivering an engaging, informative and entertaining thematic narrative.

It tells of the people who staffed a facility that brought much needed economic benefit to a remote region of Ireland and continues the story through the site’s conversions to green energy production and, the essential part the landscape is now playing in the fight against climate change.

Revealing, connecting, inspiring

Balancing the needs of all target audiences, we developed a multi-sensory experience in which visitors actively participate. Our goal was to inspire an emotional connection to the location and cultivate a sense of wonder at
the technology and innovation at work here.

At the same time, we were keen to support increasing public awareness of energy consumption and the need to take action to mitigate our personal impact on the planet.

The interpretation design scheme was developed to immediately excite the visitor, to stimulate their curiosity and to encourage a sense of citizenship.

A journey through thematic zones

An introductory space imbues the visitor with a sense of ‘place and purpose’; looking back at those that worked at and lived around the power station while recognising the site’s renewed and redefined future-focus. 

Passing into a science and technology zone, visitors discover how natural forces are harnessed to generate electricity and how renewable energy generation is developing Ireland-wide. 

Interpretive interventions demonstrate scale, processes and results with specific STEAM-linked learning outcomes enhanced with physical, kinetic and digital interactivity.

The rich ecology of the site is explored in the next space where the bog’s tiny plant life is interpreted at giant scale, giving the visitor an insect-view. A special soundscape enhances the sense of a hidden world, teeming with life.

Crucially, the role of the peat bogs as a ‘natural carbon sink’ is explained
here – how it absorbs harmful carbon from the air and traps it beneath its water plane. The wildlife now thriving in Oweninny’s landscape is brought into focus. Visitors are left with an optimistic vision of how conscious and careful steps can bring positive change to our environmental challenges.

The interpretation design scheme was developed to immediately excite the visitor,
to stimulate their curiosity and to encourage a sense of citizenship.