Roscommon County Council grants permission for 68.8-hectare solar farm at Boyle, Co. Roscommon

In context

It is one of 9 solar farm applications Roscommon County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 339 nationally. Of the 573 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 92% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 17 June 2026. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Roscommon County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

Permission for development (for a period of ten years) at Lough Key Forest & Activity Park, within and around the curtilage of a number of Protected Structures throughout the Park, to enhance and expand facilities, a project co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund. The proposed development comprises: 1. Expansion of existing Visitor Centre complex, including: a. Single storey building extension (c. 918 sqm overall increase); b. Outdoor seating/dining and hard landscaped public realm areas and routes; c. Associated enhanced welfare, retail, catering and event/indoor activity facilities; d. Part demolition of the existing visitor centre and demolition of adjacent sheds/stores; and, e. Ancillary elements including utilities/welfare/energy (including substation and switch room building)/service/storage yard area and structures, bin store, cycle parking store, electricity generator enclosure, rooftop solar PV array and signage/branding. 2. Expansion of existing Outdoor Activities offering, including: a. Provision of new single storey Activity Centre/Hub building measuring c. 279 sqm (and associated facilities, yard, plant, storage, etc.), linking paths/stepped accesses, rooftop solar PV array and signage/branding; b. Provision of wall climbing attraction to existing Moylurg Tower; c. Provision of Zipline attraction (2 no. lines), from (new departure platform zone on) existing Moylurg Tower to proposed receiving structure, associated Landing Zone and access path on Drummans Island, and associated tree/vegetation clearance/pruning of zipline corridor; d. New activities including Minigolf, Tubing Track, Net Adventure, Ropes Course and Mini/Junior Karting; and, e. Outdoor activities storage containers at waterfront area. 3. Expansion of existing Outdoor Amenities Offering, including: a. Public realm/landscaping to Rockingham House basement area, stair and platform lift accesses from lawn level, equipment/works necessary for climbing of Moylurg Tower and upgraded enclosing fence at lawn level; b. Public realm/landscaping to lawn level surrounding basement area, partial covering with tensile type structure and provision for incidental trading; c. Enhancements to existing Adventure Play Kingdom including partial covering with tensile type structure; d. Revision of existing and provision of new pedestrian/visitor routes, paths and incidental features (seating, benches, wayfinding, 3 no. timber waterfro