Inistioge residents nervous as water levels in River Nore rise

Vivienne Clarke

The Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Michael Doyle, has told of the fear and excitement experienced by children at a primary school in Inistioge which was surrounded by water yesterday with some of them rescued by being carried out by piggyback.

Cllr Doyle told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that residents of the village were nervous today as water levels in the River Nore continued to rise even though it had stopped raining.

Unfortunately, the village was prone to flooding and, because it was previously flooded many did not have insurance and were today calculating the cost of flooding damage caused yesterday, he said.

The high water levels on Monday were the highest he had ever seen. “That's a worrying trend.”

Firefighters from Thomastown and Graiguenamanagh Fire Brigades assisting with the orderly evacuation of St. Colmcille's National School, Inistioge during flooding in the Village this morning. pic.twitter.com/KMCFK7HcPw

— Kilkenny County Council (@KilkennyNotices) October 23, 2023

Cllr Doyle pointed out that flood relief funding of €1.2 million had been awarded to Inistioge for flood defences, but works had not yet commenced.

Nearby Thomastown was also awarded €10 million in flood defence funding, but work there had not commenced either.

There were five or six schemes awarded money after the last floods, he said, but only two had been completed.

“It's currently dry here this morning and the school is reopened as well, which is great for all. Road conditions are poor, but the river level is very high and the gauges along the river will lead to a nervous time, as always, for the residents especially with the possibility of flooding.

“And all these property owners have no insurance. They have been previously flooded and can't get insurance so that the costs, if it does flood, are going to be huge.”