Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme

Clonakilty has been flooded by its rivers and the estuary on numerous occasions, including significant flooding in June 2012. The flood relief scheme completed in December 2020 now protects some 300 properties, bringing a new lease of life to this historic town.

The scheme includes engineered river flood defences throughout the town centre; and tidal defences, including road raising, along the estuary. The scheme also relies on reducing the size of floods by providing a flow control structure and natural storage area for heavy rainfall upstream of the town. The scheme has been built to allow for operational and structural variations into the future to allow for predicted increases in flood risk due to climate change.

A strong emphasis through collaboration with Cork County Council is to improve the public realm in the town. The scheme’s finishes are sympathetic to the surrounding environment, with a strong focus on natural stonework and locally sourced architectural finishes. Although it was necessary, there was a lot of disruption to the town of Clonakilty over the last number of years. You can see from the photo, above left, the scale of the works at Michael Collins Bridge. The photo, above right, is from the same location in December 2020 and the community was delighted to have their town back in preparation for the festive season.

Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme

To better understand the Lower Lee (Cork City) flood relief scheme this fascinating video has been produced. The Scheme represents the largest State investment in flood defence ever undertaken in the country. It is an important element of the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 Strategy. VIDEO LINK