Lough Funshinagh consultation hailed as ‘positive’ by residents

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Local residents have welcomed progress on the Lough Funshinagh Climate Adaptation Project following the third public consultation, held at the Hodson Bay Hotel on Tuesday, April 14.

Organised by Roscommon County Council, with support from the Office of Public Works (OPW), project designers MWP, and environmental consultants, the event provided an update on efforts to deliver a permanent flood relief solution for communities affected by rising water levels at Lough Funshinagh.

The aim of the project is to remove enough excess water from the lough to prevent flooding of private properties and public roads while still maintaining the seasonal variation in water level.

It seeks to reduce the risk of recurring flooding that has impacted homes, infrastructure, and agricultural land in recent years. While an interim flood relief scheme has already received consent and will operate for up to two years, the long-term project seeks a sustainable solution to lower water levels in the lough and safeguard surrounding communities.

Since the second public consultation in April 2025, extensive environmental surveys and technical assessments have been undertaken. Although a gravity pipe to a local watercourse leading to Lough Ree had previously emerged as a preferred option, further analysis identified additional constraints.

As a result, nine potential options are now under consideration.

These include groundwater infiltration, watercourse diversion, individual property protection measures, and a range of pipeline solutions involving gravity, pumped, or siphon systems directing water either to the Mill Stream, Lough Ree, or the Cross River via east and west routes.

The project is now in Phase 2, which will involve landowner consultation, selection of a new preferred option, and a fourth public consultation. It is hoped that Phase 3, design and environmental evaluation will be reached by quarter three of 2026, with Phase 4, involving the statutory process of planning permission to begin in quarter four.

Officials noted that public feedback will play a key role in determining the most robust and sustainable long-term solution before the project advances to the planning stage.

Among those attending the consultation was Lisfelim native Geraldine Murray, a member of the Lough Funshinagh Flood Crisis Committee, who expressed strong support for the evidence-based approach now being taken.

Ms Murray, who has attended committee meetings throughout the process, said the community had previously felt that more detailed information was needed before a final decision could be made.

“Today is a particularly positive day for me, I’m the happiest I’ve been, because it’s now clear that the plans are more detailed and evidence-based than previous ones.

“What we really felt was that there simply wasn’t enough evidence at the time [of the second public consultation], especially as the project is going for planning, which is extremely difficult to obtain in this country. Because of that, it was decided that more evidence was needed to support the findings.”

She welcomed the depth of analysis now available, noting that the latest presentations provided reassurance to residents.

“Now, we are absolutely inundated with information, which is fantastic. It means that any decision made will be firmly based on solid evidence. It’s not about how something looks or whether it affects one particular house or another. It’s about finding the best possible solution.”

Ms Murray also spoke about the quarterly meeting with Minister of the OPW, Kevin 'Boxer Moran, on Monday, April 13, where project updates were presented to relevant stakeholders.

“I left the meeting feeling very positive. The presentation was far more detailed and evidence-based than previous ones, and it was delivered very clearly. There were very few outstanding questions, and overall, people seemed reassured and happy with the progress being made.”

Highlighting the urgency of the project, she described the severe impact flooding has had on local residents over the years.

“When you look at some of the images of the massive flooding, they are truly unbelievable. Many of us have experienced the impact on our homes. In Ballagh, for example, several houses came very close to being lost.”

She recalled how some residents were forced to leave their homes while repairs were carried out following prolonged flooding.

She cited the example of one local family whose house was "completely inundated".

"Although it was eventually repaired, the family had to move out while the floors were fixed, as they had begun to crack and sink after months of flooding.”

Ms Murray added that other families in the area faced similar challenges, underlining the importance of selecting the correct long-term solution.

“Overall, many people were, and continue to be, at significant risk. That is why it is so important that the correct solution is chosen, one that is firmly grounded in strong, comprehensive evidence.”

Roscommon County Council reiterated that community engagement remains central to the decision-making process. Feedback gathered during the consultation will inform the selection of a preferred option, after which the project is expected to proceed to the planning stage.

For residents around Lough Funshinagh, the consultation represents another important milestone in the journey toward a permanent and sustainable solution to the long-standing flooding challenges facing the area.