Clare Coastal Residents May Be Forced To Abandon Homes Under New Guidelines

Residents and business owners near Clare's coasts and waterways may be forced to abandon their properties in the coming years due to major flooding. It follows the publication of a new government report this week which claims that Ireland's sea level is on track to rise by at least 1m by 2100 due to the pace of global warming. The National Coastal Change Management Strategy has identified a number of settlements in this county as high risk including areas of Miltown Malbay, Ballyvaughan, Lahinch, Kilkee, Newmarket, Clonlara and Ennis. The report has reccommended major investment in existing flood defences, however it has warned that in some instances, a co-ordinated retreat away from the coastline may be neccessary. Manager of the Monk's Restaurant in Ballyvaughan, Patrick O'Donoghue says its vital action is taken now to prevent future devastation. Meanwhile Lahinch Green Party Councillor Liam Grant believes its vital that the €3m climate fund announced in Budget 2024 is used to provide infrastructure in vulnerable communities.