Limerick village secures green light to protect 50 properties from future flooding

The application is expected to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála in the "near future", aiming to protect the town from recurrent flooding.

Minister O'Donnell expressed appreciation for the community's support, saying: "I wish to acknowledge the support from the Castleconnell community that was valuable to inform the design of a scheme for its town, which will protect the 50 properties including 35 residential and families at risk from flooding, together with 15 commercial properties and businesses."

The planned scheme, designed in partnership with JBA engineering and environmental consultants, includes flood defenses such as walls and embankments across various vulnerable areas.

These will include flood walls behind northern properties, along Mall Road, and adjacent to Maher's Pub car park. Additional defenses will be constructed at Meadowbrook Estate and Coolbane Woods, and a demountable barrier will be installed on Chapel Hill Road.

A flood gate is also planned to secure Island House's entrance.

This initiative is part of a larger government-backed effort to manage flood risk in Limerick and across Ireland. Castleconnell's project was identified as a priority in the 2018 Flood Risk Management Plans. It responds to risks from both the River Shannon and the Cedarwood Stream, which have previously impacted the area.

The Castleconnell scheme is one of a number of flood relief projects underway across Limerick. Minister O'Donnell added: "There are currently four flood relief schemes at different stages of progression in county Limerick."

This includes the €32 million King's Island Flood Relief Scheme, set to start construction in November, as well as ongoing designs for flood defenses in Limerick City & Environs, Adare, and Athea, which are set to enter the planning phase in 2025.

Overall, the Government has allocated €137 million for flood mitigation measures in Limerick County alone, with an additional €3.2 million granted to the council for minor flood mitigation efforts in 56 other locations.

The cost of these efforts, including the Castleconnell project, will be funded through Ireland's National Development Plan, which has committed €1.3 billion to flood risk management.

The OPW has also assured the public that these flood defenses are "future-proofed" and adaptable to anticipated changes in flood patterns due to climate change.