€32 million flood relief works signed for city island

The flood relief scheme, the main contract for which has been awarded to construction firm Ward & Burke, will protect hundreds of properties from tidal flooding, which caused extensive damage in 2014.

Surrounded by the rivers Shannon and Abbey, the island is susceptible to coastal and fluvial flood risks, says the Office of Public Works in Limerick.

The King’s Island Flood Relief Scheme includes:

• More than 2km of 2.5m earthen flood embankment
• Upgrades and deconstruction of existing quay walls
• Lime mortar re-pointing, lime grouting and stonework repair
• Construction of flood defence walls, 290 metres with glass panels and 810 metres of concrete
• 600M of access routes with fishermen’s access
• Other road surface and furniture works, and landscaping.

The project has been a few years in the pipeline, with an advance works contract completed in 2017, planning submitted in 2019 and consent not granted until two years later, in 2019.

The tender process was launched in February 2024 and the contract awarded at the end of September.

“The scheme aims to minimise the risk of flooding to the existing community and prevent re-occurrences of similar flood events that the area experienced in 2014,” said minister of state for the Office of Public Works Kieran O’Donnell.

“In addition to protecting homes, properties and the community of King’s Island, the scheme will include public realm upgrades and enhancement of the built heritage of this historic part of our great city.”

Civil engineering firm Ward & Burke has plenty of experience in the kind of works involved for the King’s Island; it recently was appointed main contractor to protect the town of Clonakilty from fluvial flooding by the Ballyhalwick River and River Feagle, as well as two streams and tidal flooding from the bay of Clonakilty.

Known as the ‘Emerald Isle’, Ireland receives between 1,000 and 1,400mm of rain every year, and this has not significantly changed over the past 50 years.