National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is proposing the construction of a 12-meter high wooden pole on Cape Clear Island to support radio-link dishes for high-speed fiber broadband. This infrastructure will transmit broadband data from the island to the mainland, connecting it to NBI's national fiber network. The project aligns with the Irish government's national broadband plan to provide high-speed internet access to underserved areas.
A heritage study conducted as part of the planning application concluded that no historical monuments are directly affected by the development. The nearest historical site, Kilvroon burial ground, is 45 meters away, and the overhead cables will utilize existing poles. The study indicates that the telecommunications infrastructure will be mostly screened by the existing landscape. While visible from a nearby stone row, the visual impact is considered minimal and reversible.
Cork County Council is expected to make a decision on the planning application by the end of June.