Kenmare flooding plans to include ‘particularly high’ defence walls

Plans have been unveiled for tackling flooding in Kenmare, Co Kerry, which include “particularly high” permanent defence walls.

Eight years ago, a devastating 24-hour-flood hit the town centre and a lesser flood last year saw some of the same premises damaged again. Kenmare is at risk from tidal and river flooding according to an assessment carried out by the OPW and partners Mott MacDonald.

Recorded monuments like a holy well and limekiln are at risk according to a public consultation by the OPW in the Killarney Plaza Hotel this week. The cause of previous flooding was intense rainfall in upper Finnihy, which runs through the town. The focus of the flood plans will be the Finnihy along with the town centre Kealnagower River.