Farmgate, Midleton: 'Storm Babet floods destroyed our life's work in a single day'

A family business for 40 years, the thriving Farmgate, Midleton, now faces an existential crisis after its second major flood event in less than adecade. Owner and operator Sally O’Brien says the Government needs to act now

Sally O'Brien cleaning up at Farmgate in Midleton, Co Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Unfortunately, we were caught completely unaware by this week’s flooding. Farmgate was established in 1983, we are a family-run restaurant and food store located on the Coolbawn in Midleton. We currently have a team of 13.

Obviously, last Wednesday the rain was torrential, but since there was only a status orange rainfall warning, we did not prepare.