Flooded in Storm Babet, buoyed up by community spirit: How the people of Midleton pulled together

Pádraig Hoare hears moving accounts of how the people of Midleton have pulled together in the wake of the recent flooding

Having been devastated by floods last week, Midleton is striving to get back to normal, including these parents and children enjoying a Halloween storytelling session at Midleton Books. Picture: Denis Minihane

Storm Babet, at her most ferocious, tried her best, but she could not conquer the spirit of Midleton.

While the East Cork town fared among the very worst anywhere in Ireland or Britain when it came to the wrath of nature and a changing climate, destroying a number of businesses and homes, the recovery in just a short time since has been one of the most uplifting stories in Cork’s illustrious history.

As soon as the flooding struck, and it had become apparent that this was no ordinary weather event, the volunteers of The Midleton Hub sprung into action. They have barely stopped going since.

Young volunteers Jake Horgan with Brian, Bradley and Elsa Nimpa at the Midleton Hub. People in Midleton have been telling reporter Pádraig Hoare inspiring tales of how young people have been rallying round those affected by the floods. Picture: Larry Cummins

It was only at the bank holiday weekend that the volunteers and organisers of Midleton Hub finally felt they could take a day or two to step back and take a well-earned rest, before reorganising and continuing their collective efforts.

Local councillor Danielle Twomey has also been singled out by homeowners and businesses in the town for her response to the devastation.

It has brought the town closer, like it has been for generations, she said.

Linda, Izzy, Ella, and Isabel taking part in a fancy dress fundraiser for the flood damage relief fund organised by students and staff at Midleton College, Co Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane

“Midleton has always been a close-knit community but I felt that the covid pandemic kind of made us lose a bit of that closeness,” Ms Twomey said. 

“The town is growing, fewer people may know each other personally, and obviously being in lockdown meant we all lost some connection.

“However, the response since the flooding devastated the town shows that community spirit in Midleton is not only alive and well, it is getting stronger. It has brought us back together in a way that we could never have anticipated.

Eleanor Dunlea of Lollipop Kids Footwear says she is overwhelmed by the countless cards she got from local schoolchildren in the wake of the Midleton floods.  Picture: Denis Minihane

“The volunteers in Midleton Hub have been absolutely amazing, the efforts inspired and galvanised everyone. 

"You then had schoolchildren, teachers, and principals all rowing in, while businesses have been incredibly supportive to one another, even though some of them may have been badly hit.

“Young people in this town have been an inspiration — they’re quick to be labelled in a bad light at certain times, but young people around Midleton and the surrounding areas have been an absolute credit to their community,” Ms Twomey said.

It is a sentiment echoed by residents of Beechwood Drive, who had mere minutes to try and stave off the worst of the flooding as it deluged their homes. Many have been destroyed, and while the pain of that will not leave anytime soon, the response of the estate’s youngsters has rallied the spirits.

‘I will never hear a bad word said about our young people, they are amazing,’ said Margaret Crone. Young Dylan Buckley waded through feet of water to find and secure the urn containing the ashes of Margaret’s late husband, Brian. Picture: Chani Anderson

While the praise and gratitude for Midleton Hub volunteers was ubiquitous, the response of the younger generation has provided a sense of hope and optimism for the future that Midleton is only getting stronger.

Resident Jessica Daly said: “Teenagers literally wading through feet of water to help barricade homes, sandbagging, and protecting their neighbours from the flooding, it was so incredible.

“Young lads helping residents to get out their windows, going back in to save animals that were stuck, they did it all.

“Beechwood has the best of young people, we are so proud of them.”

There are many tales of young people going above and beyond the call, but one sticks in the mind that is full of poignancy.

Participant in the fancy dress fundraiser organised by students and staff at Midleton College. Picture: Denis Minihane

Margaret Crone was stuck in work when the flooding struck, and was not able to return to her home until the next day to survey the damage. Although she is devastated at what she has lost, she is eternally grateful to one teenager.

Margaret lost her husband Brian last year, and his ashes have been in the front room of their home in Beechwood since then.

The grandson of her neighbour Marian Buckley did something selfless that she will never forget, Margaret said.

Dylan Buckley waded through feet of water to try and find the urn containing Brian’s ashes, managing to secure it and storing it upstairs in a safe place. It meant the very thing that Margaret feared most, losing Brian again, did not happen.

Flashback to October 18 and the devastating flooding on Main St, Midleton, Co Cork. Picture; Eddie O'Hare

“We have the best neighbours and a brilliant community spirit here in Beechwood. I will never hear a bad word said about our young people, they are amazing,” Margaret said.

Schoolgoers have stepped up to the plate in a big way, according to grateful business and homeowners.

One example is more than €1,000 raised at Midleton College by students who organised an impromptu fancy dress party at the school on Friday morning.

English and history teacher Mary O’Connor said: “It was something we decided to do in order to raise what we could for the flood relief. The students asked themselves what they could do to help and the response was fabulous.

“It’s not just our school, all the schools have played their part. Young people are always going to get criticism but as you can see from here in Midleton, they are a credit to their town.

Brothers Joshua and Aaron Spillane at Cornerstone Pizza, Midleton, were a constant presence throughout the cleanup, delivering stacks of meals to volunteers. Picture: Denis Minihane

“The community response was also a way to end the last few days on a real high note.

“We all know somebody who has been affected, either directly or indirectly, by the floods. It was nice to finally ride the wave of optimism and hope finally.”

Events such as cake sales, raffles, little fundraisers here and there such as Midleton Books' storytelling event for children last Friday — they all add up. And the Midleton Strong tag on business premises has been a symbol that all are in the fight to restore the town
together.

As volunteers throughout the town went about their efforts, they were supported by a number of local restaurants and eateries that supplied endless free food and drinks to keep spirits high.

Rory Bruce enjoying the storytelling session for children at Midleton Books, Co Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane

The likes of chef Patryk Suchojad of Surf & Turf at East Cork Golf Club and brothers Josh and Aaron Spillane in Cornerstone Pizza on St Mary’s Rd were a constant presence throughout the cleanup efforts, delivering stacks of meals to keep hunger at bay and spirits high.

Josh Spillane said: “It was the very least we felt we could do. We’re Midleton born and bred, we opened during the covid-19 pandemic which was a worry, but the community has supported us from day one.

“We felt it was our chance to return that support. We love this town and the people, we were reared here, and you won’t find a better community anywhere.

“We were just one of many businesses that did our bit for the town. The nice thing about food is that you associate it with good times, so at least there will be some pleasant memories created, people will remember the times they sat down and had some food together as they worked hard to help their town to recover.”

New broom: Jess McCarthy during a children's storytelling session at Midleton Books in the run-up to Halloween. Picture: Denis Minihane

Eleanor Dunlea of Lollipop Kids clothes shop on the main street was one of the unlucky businesspeople who felt the full brunt of Storm Babet’s wrath, losing tens of thousands of euro worth of stock in the process.

Her destroyed shop window is already a beacon of hope, adorned now with a huge array of cards and pictures that came from local schoolchildren in the aftermath of the flooding.

Eleanor said she was overwhelmed with the boost the local children had given her in one of her darkest times.

There are actually so many pictures and cards that she has had to refresh her shop window to make sure that every one sent gets a display at some stage. There are enough for two more window displays, she said proudly.

Patryk Suchojad, chef & owner, Surf & Turf restaurant at East Cork Golf Club, Midleton, Co Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane

“These children are my heroes,” Eleanor wrote.

Staff at Ina McCarthy Flowers spent days getting up and running again, bolstered by an almost continuous presence of volunteers helping out, providing food and drink, or replenishing stock. For instance, Taylor Nelson of Glanmire-based Between The Briars florist arrived with pots of fresh flowers on Monday.

Rachel Sheehan and Lauren Coppinger said the support for Ina McCarthy Flowers has been the silver lining.

“The community support is the reason we are able to open again. It’s been incredible,” Rachel said.

Lauren said although it was inspiring to see how many people rallied to the side of others, it wasn’t entirely surprising.

Drone footage taken on October 18 showing the devastation in Midleton, Co Cork. The community has been rallying together during and since the Storm Babet flood.  Picture: Guileen Coast Guard 

“Midleton is a town and community that supports each other. For example, we have some of the best coffee shops and cafes you could find anywhere, but people tend to visit each one regularly. You might have a favourite but you’ll always try to visit and support each one when you can. 

"You could go to a certain one on Monday, go to the next one on Tuesday, and so on. That’s just the way Midleton is, we all look out for each other and support each other, whether it is business or friendships.”

It was perhaps indicative of Midleton’s community spirit that businesses and homeowners, who were themselves so affected by the flooding, thought of others during and after the event.

Angela Hennessy and her husband Dave O’Keefe have been Midleton stalwarts since opening their shop in June 1987. Generations of children bought their sweets and their mums and dads got the few messages in Angela’s every day, a throwback to the old-school village outlet so prevalent in Ireland for decades.

Children who bought sweets there in the 1980s and ’90s are now parents themselves, and Angela’s is held in such affection locally that business owners on main street, themselves grappling with keeping the waters at bay, were desperate for news that Angela and Dave were all right.

Thankfully, although shaken up having witnessed unprecedented waters outside their shop on Connolly Street, they escaped the worst of it.

Angela said: “The people of this town are wonderful.

O'Brien's Interiors in Midleton, Co Cork, with one of the many inspirational signs that businesses and homeowners displayed after the flood. Picture: Denis Minihane

“They care so much about each other and will always go out of their way to help others. We have great community spirit, and we’re so grateful and humbled to think we’re held in such esteem. The goodwill that people have towards one another is amazing.”

Christmas time will be a vital period for Midleton and a chance to capitalise on the goodwill generated in the aftermath of Storm Babet, according to Midleton Chamber.

The organisation is encouraging people to “support local and shop local” in the run up to the festive period.

Volunteers Martin Horgan, Geraldine Newman, Fiona Lacey, and Kelly Marquez at the Midleton Hub. Picture: Larry Cummins

As well as shopping local, Midleton Chamber has put out a call for the likes of solicitors, engineers, accountants, and contractors to help Midleton businesses navigate relief funds as they recover from the devastation caused by Storm Babet.

The chamber said legal and financial professionals, engineers, along with builders, plumbers, and electricians could assist the collective effort if they volunteered their time.

After the deluge: A rainbow over Midleton, Co Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane

Such professionals are asked to email Midleton Chamber, by emailing [e-mail], president Adrianna Hegarty said.

The most important message to get out there is that Midleton is “open for business”, the chamber said.

It is a message of hope, defiance, and togetherness that makes Midleton Strong in one of its hardest times.

 

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