THE IMPACT of the historic levels of damage caused by Storm Éowyn is still being felt across Clare, almost a week after it first made landfall on the 23rd of January.
By Michael Fitzgerald
The powerful storm brought winds of up to 180 km/h, causing widespread destruction across Ireland. At its peak, the storm left 790,000 homes, farms, and businesses without power.
ESB anticipates that “the vast majority of customers who lost power during Storm Éowyn will have supply restored by this Friday night, 31 January.”
The widespread power outages have had an adverse effect on water supply in Clare, as pumping stations cannot function with the loss of electricity. At the time of writing, 1,500 homes in Clare are still without water.
Due to a loss of power at pumping stations along the network, customers on the Ballymacravan Public Water Supply, including Ennistymon, Lisdoonvarna, Ballyvaughan, Doolin, Fanore, Lahinch, Cliffs of Moher, and surrounding areas may still be experiencing a loss of supply. Customers on the Old Doolough Public Water Supply, may also be experiencing supply disruptions, including Rockmount.
Alternative water supplies are available in the below listed locations will remain until supply has been restored; Killaloe GAA Pitch, Public Water Tap located at Ennistymon Square, Clouna Church Ennistymon, Woodcock Pub, Cratloe, O’Maras Shop, Flagmount, McGann’s Pub, Doolin, O’Donoghue’s Pub, Fanore, Church car park, Ballyvaughan, St Breckans GAA Car Park, Lisdoonvarna, Promenade car park, Lahinch, Miltown Malbay GAA Pitch and Rockshop, Liscannor.
Customers on the Kilmaley/Inagh water scheme were affected on Sunday 26th as restoration of power to the scheme was not prioritised by the ESB on that day, leading to water outages and many local shops selling out of bottled water. Ballymacraven water treatment plant in North Clare, which supplies Kilfenora, Lisdoonvarna, Doolin, and other local areas, was also affected on Friday 24th, forcing customers to conserve water until power could be restored.
The damage caused by Storm Éowyn was evident in the storm’s immediate aftermath as trees and power lines were down across the county. Part of the sea wall at Cappa in Kilrush also collapsed into the sea on Friday 24th, with a West Clare Municipal District crew closing off a short section of road for safety. There were also reports of trees down on the Limerick, Cusack, Kiladysart, and Tulla roads in Ennis, as well as downed electricity wires and trees on the Golf Links road. There were also multiple reports by farmers across Clare that galvanized roofs had been ripped off sheds by the force of the extreme winds.
Lisdoonvarna and Dromindoor post offices also remain closed due to power outages. Storm Éowyn also caused major disruption to flights in Shannon, which experienced multiple delays and cancellations, and saw winds peak at 137 km/h during the night. Flight services resumed at Shannon Airport on Friday 24th, with the first flight from London Stansted landing at 11:04am and departing back to London at 11:45am. A spokesperson for the airport confirmed that the airport is now back to operating at a full, normal schedule and advised passengers whose flights had been cancelled to contact their airlines. “We deeply appreciate our passengers’ understanding and patience during the storm. Ensuring passenger and staff safety has been our top priority at all times. We are delighted to resume our full schedule of flights and look forward to welcoming our passengers,” said the spokesperson.
