GreenPlan Mulranny turned a volunteer-run tourist office into a public “green hub” for the whole village—swapping bulbs, cutting bills, refilling water bottles, charging e-bikes from solar, and showing live energy on a screen. Those visible, low-cost actions grew into a community energy pipeline (Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) → Energy Master Plan (EMP) → Building Energy Ratings (BERs) → retrofits) and helped set the stage for Mulranny’s Decarbonising Zone.
Where?
Mulranny Co. Mayo
Who started this action?
Mulranny GreenPlan Group
Some quick facts about the project
- Launched: 2015 — Ireland’s first GreenPlan village.
- Green hub: Mulranny Tourist Office (GreenPlan HQ).
- Impact snapshot: ~75% CO₂ reduction at the Tourist Office in year 1; 2,237 plastic bottles avoided by May 2022 via the water bottle refill station; Ireland’s first community e-bike scheme (solar-charged).
- Energy pipeline: Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) SEC member, completed an Energy Master Plan, ran 15 BER assessments, and built a register of opportunities.
- Partners: SEAI mentors, Mayo County Council, LEADER support.
What makes this stand out?
- A public hub concentrates quick wins (low-energy lighting, water bottle refill station, swaps, solar e-bike charging) that residents and visitors can see and copy.
- Behaviour-change first: clear, seven-theme framework; low-cost, measurable actions.
- Place-based innovation: invasive rhododendron used as biofuel instead of turf.
- Data matters: the water bottle refill station app tracks bottles avoided, turning action into evidence.
Highlights
- Energy & retrofit at HQ: insulation + full low energy lighting conversion; later solar panels + battery with a lobby screen showing live generation/usage.
- Community “light-bulb swap”: first of its kind in Ireland.
- Greener Energy Showcase Day: hands-on demos with Mayo County Council & suppliers (grants, practical tips).
- Water & waste: county’s first water bottle refill station; battery/WEEE collections; book reuse; non-toxic “Cleaning Naturally.”
- Mobility: community e-bike scheme (solar-charged) + free e-bike sockets at the hub for Greenway users.
- Social layer: Food Drop Box (holiday homes → Food Charities); invitation letter asking visitors to join the GreenPlan
Why this matters
GreenPlan Mulranny shows how visible, low-cost actions in a public place can unlock a structured energy journey for a whole community. By pairing everyday behaviour change with an Energu Master Plan, Building Energy Rating pipeline and practical services (water bottle refill station, solar e-bike charging), the village created a replicable model that advances climate action, strengthens community, and informs Decarbonising Zone delivery.
SDG Alignment & Keywords
SDG 13 Climate Action · SDG 12 Responsible Consumption · SDG 11 Sustainable Communities · SDG 15 Life on Land · SDG 17 Partnerships
Keywords: community energy, behaviour change, water bottle refill station, e-bikes, solar PV, circular economy, biodiversity, Greenway
Find Out More about the project
Listen to this podcast to learn how the people of Mulranny use the best communications practice to make sure they build alliances within their community
Community Group Best Communications Practice Builds Success
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