Fourth public consultation to take place on long-term flood relief solution for Lough Funshinagh
Flooded sheds with a barrier protecting the newly tarred road at Lough Funshinagh back in April of 2024. Pic: Gerry Faughnan
A fourth public consultation as part of the process to identify and develop a viable long-term flood relief solution for Lough Funshinagh will take place on Monday.
This consultation event, organised by Roscommon County Council, will provide members of the public and stakeholders with an opportunity to view and comment on the emerging preferred option for the project. The event will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, September 21st at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Kiltoom, Athlone.
“This consultation follows the third public consultation event held in April 2026, during which nine potential options were presented for public and stakeholder feedback. Since then, the project team has continued to undertake detailed technical, environmental and engineering assessments, while carefully considering the feedback received through the consultation process,” said Roscommon County Council.
“The emerging preferred option to channel excess water in Lough Funshinagh, now being presented, has been identified following the thorough assessment of the previously consulted options against the project's dual objectives of effectively managing flood risk and minimising impacts on the environment within this highly sensitive area. The process was also informed by the submissions received from affected stakeholders during the previous public consultation event.
“The purpose of this consultation is to provide information on the emerging preferred option, gather feedback from the public and stakeholders, and assist in informing the development of a preferred scheme for progression through the statutory planning process,” added the council.
Lough Funshinagh is a designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC) turlough that has experienced severe and recurring flooding in recent years, including in 2010, 2016, 2021 and 2024. These events have resulted in significant flood risk to homes, farmland, infrastructure and local communities, while also impacting on the qualifying interests of the SAC.
“In response to the increasing frequency and severity of flooding, Roscommon County Council, working in conjunction with the Office of Public Works (OPW), has been progressing a staged approach to manage both immediate and long-term flood risk, while ensuring compliance with environmental and planning legislation,” a statement from the council said.
“This included Roscommon County Council securing planning consent in January 2025 for an interim flood relief scheme to regulate flows from the Lough through the Cross River. Through overground pumping, commenced in April 2025, these interim flood relief measures have assisted in managing water levels at Lough Funshinagh while the development of a permanent solution continues," concluded the statement.
