This article is from page 2 of the 2014-02-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
IT IS more than 60 years ago since Mother Nature last attacked the seaside town of Kilkee with such ferocity.
Having escaped the storms and flooding of early January, the St Bridget’s Day storm brought high tides and winds that left hundreds of thousands of euros of destruction in its wake.
Local businesses are now worried that the already struggling tourism industry will be damaged further if the repair work is not carried out immediately.
The most visible damage is at the bandstand and the strand line wall.
The wall has been breached and the prom along the strand is destroyed with debris.
The bandstand, which recently had a face life with some new flags and other works, is completely devastated.
While numerous roads were impassable due to flooding and debris brought from the sea with the force of the waves, a crack on the road to the pier, close to the former Thomond Hotel in an area known as Fisherman’s Corner is a real concern for local people.
“The last time we got something like this was in 1951. We had other storms in the ‘80s but not this bad,” said local businessman John Nolan.
He added that the main aim for the community was to have the tourist resort ready for the first set of visitors on St Patrick’s Day.
In Kilrush, the marina protected most of the town from the high waves, as the lock gates controlled the water levels.
Cappa however was not as fortunate as the waves breached the sea wall and damaged the local playground.
The breach of the sea wall close to the playground leaves families using the playground vulnerable to a 10foot drop to the sea below.
A popular walkway from Iveroo to Cappa has also been compromised, while work continues removing debris from other roads.
“We are not in the same situation as the people of Kilbaha or Carrigaholt, and we would not claim to be, but damage like this has never been done before in Kilrush,” said the town’s mayor Cllr Paul Moroney (Ind). TODAY We t a n d win d y a ft e rn o o n , h e avy sh o we rs a n d o ve r 7m m s o f ra in d u e , te m p s 7c .