Website of Claregalway, Co.Galway, Ireland

The recent unprecendented rainfall has caused devastation throughout the country and laregalway has not escaped. The main road through the village, the N17 is presently closed to all traffic. In addition local roads including those to Lakeview, Caherlea, Crusheen, Cloonbigeen, Gortcloonmore and Cregmore have all been closed due to extensive flooding.

The worst hit areas are those lying beside or close to the River Clare. While always prone to flooding this has been the worst seen in living memory and the speed at which it has risen has taken the locals by surprise.

In the village, the Arches Hotel as been forced to close. Estates such as the Friary have been evacuated and those in River Oaks and Cuirt na hAbhainn are also at danger and have only avoided flooding thanks to sandbags. Local councillor Malachy Noone has been instumntal in getting a local team of volunteers together for relief duties, distributing sandbags and checking on isolated neighbours and locals.

The heavy rainfall in eary November followed by a week of downpours saw the river rise and burst its banks. The volume of water flowing in the Clare has increased and so has the flood level.

The N17 remains closed at the Claregalway bridge with all traffic diverted to the N84, Headford to Galway road.

Some Photos from the area