Fermoy’s character changing as weir crumbles

There has, for a number of years, been a sustained but unsuccessful community campaign to have vital repairs carried out on Fermoy Weir on the River Blackwater.

Cork County Council, the relevant authority, repeatedly pleaded an inability to fund work essential to the preservation of the town’s character and the many sports opportunities offered by artificially managing the level of the river.

A different kind of campaign is needed now as, as was predicted by myriad interests, the weir has partially collapsed and no longer holds back the great flow that, above Fermoy bridge, was so influential in defining the town.

It would not be surprising if that deterioration accelerated when the next flood arrives — as it surely will.

Last October, 12 local organisations, including conservation interests, lobbied government to take action to prevent the weir crumbling. That challenge is now more urgent and will be more expensive. However, a general election, local elections and European elections loom making all things once impossible suddenly possible. Hopefully.