Flash flood waters that swept through Clonakilty after a torrential deluge were followed yesterday by a collective sigh of relief in the West Cork town.

A bubble-blowing ceremony tomorrow night will kick-start the country’s first kindness festival — an event that could spread nationwide.

Sodden cars floating in flood waters, stock destroyed and untold structural damage — the town of Clonakilty will count the cost of yesterday’s flood for years to come.