Looking to the future at Lough Funshinagh

Olivia and James McHugh, Brideswell, pictured on the site owned by their late grandfather Colm Mee as the Interim Flood Relief Scheme for Lough Funshinagh became operational on Friday, March 28th.

The Mee family, Bernadette, Fionnuala, and Ethna told the Herald on the day they were delighted to facilitate the interim solution.

“The way Bernie described it this morning, it’s emotional, it’s very emotional,” said Fionnuala. “Because this has been going on for ten years. To finally see an interim solution is incredible.” Bernadette said that since their late father, Colm, passed away in 2021 they have invested heavily in the farm. For them, the lake is a “beautiful monster”, capable of creating life and destruction.

“Today there is a lovely ripple on the water, the last two days it was like a mirror,” said Bernadette.

They expressed huge sympathy with the people whose homes were threatened with flooding, adding that the crisis forged a new community around the lake.

“We are from Curraghboy but our neighbours became our neighbours around Lough Funshinagh. We would be here on a night and we could hear the pumps in Ballagh, and if you didn’t hear the pumps, you’d be nervous,” said Fionnuala. 

“We are happy that we are a major part of the interim solution for Lough Funshinagh.”