Athlone consultation event today on permanent Lough Funshinagh flooding solution

A public consultation event is taking place today (Tuesday) on the plans for a permanent solution to the flooding crisis at Lough Funshinagh in South Roscommon.

Roscommon County Council is hosting the event, which is taking place in Athlone's Hodson Bay Hotel from 2-8pm.

The meeting is open to all members of the public, with representatives from the project team and the council set to be in attendance.

A two-year temporary solution to the flooding crisis at Lough Funshinagh was recently approved by An Bord Pleanála and is expected to be up and running by the end of March or in early April.

The temporary scheme will involve the use of overland pipes which will facilitate the pumping of excess water from the overflowing lake to the Cross River, in the townland of Carrick, near Curraghboy village.

Flooding at Lough Funshinagh has been a persistent and worsening problem for the last decade, with the water reaching a new record high in 2024.

Local roads have had to be raised and two homes have been lost due to the crisis, which has impacted in particular areas such as Ballagh, Rahara, and Lysterfield, Curraghboy.

The permanent solution to the flooding problem is expected to involve the pumping of excess water from Lough Funshinagh to Lough Ree.

It's hoped that a planning application for the permanent solution will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála before the end of this year.