*Gerardine and Joe Quinlivan.
FLOODING nightmares are over in Clonlara with locals celebrating the completion of the €5.2m Springfield flood relief scheme.
Mother of four Gerardine Quinlivan has been one of the most active and vocal advocates who pushed to secure the flood relief scheme in South East Clare which offers protection to 21 homes.
Initially the scheme was expected to cost €1.2m but rose to €5.2m. Flooding has caused immense stress and pain in Clonlara with incidences reported as far back as 1995 with further occurrences in 2009, 2016 and 2020.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Gerardine admitted, “It is an incredible day for us here in Springfield with the flood protection scheme in place to protect our homes. We’ve been through hell since 1995 and in fairness the water was getting deeper as the years went on, the fact these pumps are here and are working is an amazing achievement out of a small rural community in East Clare”.
She recalled, “when we felt like giving up which we did on more than one occasion, people said no keep going, we buoyed each other up to keep up the fight, we’re so pride today that the flood protection measure is here, it is an incredible day and I’m very proud of my community that we made this happen”.
Alongside her husband Joe they travelled the country to lobby and fight for the flood relief scheme. “Wherever there was a meeting going on, Joe and I attended wherever it was, we went to Athlone, Galway, Ennis, we did travel the length and breadth of Ireland to get this flood protection measure in place, it is well worth it now. Now we have peace of mind, it is a fantastic feeling, when it is raining now we don’t have to worry on whether the rainfall levels will affect the Shannon, the River Mulkeare, it is peace of mind and you can’t put a price on that”.
Springfield residents can sleep soundly now, she said. “During flooding the men particularly in our family were out and were sleeping in chest waders on top of sandbags, I only heard this morning that one home had ten pumps going at one particular time, can you imagine the effort it took to man those ten pumps 24 hours seven days a week, we’re very glad that we hopefully won’t have to do that again”.
