The Mullingar Diaries

“A cold wind was blowing out of the north, and it made the trees rustle like living things.”

Growing up with the Larsen’s was great. From the age of three I had to go to kindergarten to play with the other children all day. The only things I remember about kindergarten are that I once put itching powder down someone’s back (maybe not my greatest moment) and I was jealous of the girl who had trouble walking, because every time we had to go outside and play (let’s face it; I’ve never been an outdoor person) she got to stay inside and practise her walking. So I spent the hours outside with a big rock trying to crush the smaller rocks until they were nothing but dust (we didn’t need cell phones, tablets, Gameboys etc.). I started at school at the age of six and I don’t remember liking it not just even once. And it was like that for as long as I can remember. I still don’t like going to school but studying online makes it a bit easier.
When I was a child my parents took me to loads of places and I was that annoying kid who puked no matter where we went. So it’s unbelievable how we have managed to drive to Italy and France. I remember always looking at the wind turbines when we were driving and it’s something that I still do. I remember looking at them to see if they were Vestas wind turbines or something else. They always in some way fascinated me.

So growing up with the Larsen’s was great, because I had a pretty nice upbringing and nothing to complain about – and still complaining seems to be one of the only skills I have mastered to perfection. Sometimes I feel bad for my parents because they had to deal with me. And I think it is awful how you have to grow up to realise your life has always been pretty good. Imagine what it would have been like if we have always thought that? There wouldn’t have been any endless fighting on vacations with my brother or complaints about things that really didn’t matter.

My parents even bought a house in Sweden when I was around fourteen and it was probably one of the greatest places on earth. I loved coming there just to relax and hardly do anything. Sadly they sold the house in 2013. But whenever I was in Sweden I would look at their wind turbines. They look different from the once we have in Denmark – not in the shape though, but the colour. Some of the wind turbines in Sweden are green at the bottom. My point is that no matter where I go I always look at the wind turbines. And whenever I’m standing next to one I’m always fascinated by the size of it. They are huge and still they look small from a distance.

Ever since I came to Ireland I haven’t seen one wind turbine, all I see are signs with a drawing of one and a text saying no.

Those signs seem to be everywhere and growing up in a country like Denmark where wind turbines can be seen no matter where you go I find it pretty odd that it seems like the Irish people don’t want them or maybe there is a different explanation to the signs. So once again I have contacted my very very good friend Mr Google to do some research for me (I think that I might owe him a piece of cake for all the research he has done for me).

After a bit of researching it seems that the signs aren’t signs that says: “NO WIND TURBINES AT ALL” but more like: “No wind turbines near our homes”, which is understandable since they aren’t completely soundless.

I found this scheme which shows the noise levels of different things.

Although it seems like, from what I read in the papers and on the internet, that people really are against wind turbines especially here in the Midlands. It seems like some people think it’s wrong to build on some grounds due to the fact that they have a historical background. And now I’m going say something that might not be so nice! Screw the historical grounds (unless there is a historical building or something on the ground). Ireland is full of trash everywhere, EVERYWHERE! Recycling and sorting my garbage was taken to another level when I came to Ireland, but it seems like not a lot of people sort their garbage like I do, instead they just dump it in the side of the roads. So my point is ‘to hell with the historical grounds if they’re just loaded with trash anyway’. They might as well put up wind turbines; at least they do something useful.  

I’ve learnt that there are 199 wind farms on the whole island and that in 2013 18% of Ireland’s electricity came from wind energy, which means that Ireland should have reached its mandatory target by EU for 16% of Ireland’s energy to come from renewable energy sources by 2020. However Westmeath, Offaly, Meath and Longford are the only counties on the island of Ireland that don't have any wind farms. (That might be the reason I haven’t seen any wind turbines yet)

Also I think that some people think it’s too dangerous to have wind turbines near their homes since accidents can happen – and accidents do happen! (But hey, not that often)

Also in 2014 a wind turbine burned down somewhere in Denmark. But despite the fact the accidents happen I think they are amazing! As for Denmark 20% of the energy came from wind power in 2012 and it was improved to 33% in 2013 and for just December 2013 56% of the energy was delivered by wind power and there was also produced more power than there was used in December 2013.

I don’t see the big deal for anti-wind farm groups. Who wouldn’t want a greener country?