Kilmeaden residents protest against data centres planned for Waterford village
The residents of Kilmeaden are raising their voices in fierce objection against plans to create data centres in the area.
On Sunday, October 11, around 300 people held a drive-slow protest travelling from the village towards Waterford City.
Motorists beeped their support for the convoy of tractors, cars and vans along the 11km journey.
Committee member of the group 'Kilmeaden Against Industrialization' Amanda Power told RTÉ news that their village is at risk from being irreparably changed: "If this is built, there's no going back. We're not getting the village back. Most of us grew up here, born and bred. We know what it's like to grow up in a village. And this will completely destroy that."
In November 2025, it was reported that planning permission had been sought by Crag Rathnew DC Limited, Echelon Data Centres and Kent Homes Limited to construct massive data centres on the site of the former cheese factory in Kilmeaden and its adjoining lands.
The news garnered widespread criticism due to the calamitous effects of data centres on electricity grids, energy costs, water supply and the environment.
Ms. Power added: "The thought of three big data centres going in, a massive solar farm, a gas power plant, essentially, and all the infrastructure that comes with that, not to mention the noise and the traffic. It's so much to expect the residents of a small village to just accept."
Echelon Data Centres released a statement about the proposals shortly after the protest, claiming that the construction would be created according to regulatory guidelines and in "consultation with community representatives".
Waterford City and County Council is expected to make a decision on the planning application by Monday, October 19.
The latest protests follow a demonstration held outside the planning offices of Waterford City and County Council on The Mall, Waterford City.
The planning proposal has received just under 500 submissions from the public, mainly residents and local representatives objecting to the data centres.
Sinn Féin TD Conor McGuinness and TD David Cullinane attended the protest on The Mall in support of the residents.
Deputy McGuinness said that the proposal was "exceptionally large" for a small rural community.
He commented: "The proposed development would have an average electricity demand of approximately 203 megawatts, with annual electricity consumption of around 1,781 GWh.
“That is an enormous additional demand, and it has to be considered in the context of the wider pressure on our electricity system and the rapid growth in electricity demand from data centres.
“There are also serious questions around the proposed gas-fired generation, including how it would operate, its emissions and the implications for local air quality.
“Noise also needs careful consideration, particularly given the scale of the mechanical and electrical plant involved and the potential for continuous, low-frequency and tonal noise."
He added: “This is not an argument against economic development or digital infrastructure. Data centres play a role in Ireland’s digital infrastructure and economy but developments of this scale need to be properly assessed in the context of our energy system, our climate obligations, infrastructure capacity and the interests of the local community."
