Advanced flood management works have been completed in Listowel, Co Kerry, to protect 57 properties at risk in the Clieveragh area.

The project, delivered by Kerry County Council in partnership with the Office of Public Works, addresses repeated flooding in the area, most recently in 2023. Previous significant floods occurred in 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2015.

The €2 million scheme includes an overground storm water attenuation pond at Curraghatoosane, a new open channel to carry water from the pond to the Clieveragh watercourse, and a box culvert under the R552.

These works form part of a wider flood relief programme under the National Development Plan, which has allocated €1.3 billion for flood protection nationwide.

Since 2018, the government has trebled the number of flood relief schemes in design and construction to around 100, including projects in Tralee and Kenmare that protect roughly 70 per cent of at-risk properties in Kerry.

The advanced works at Clieveragh were completed in just two years thanks to close coordination between Kerry County Council and the Office of Public Works. Earlier this year, the same partnership allowed embankment works at Town Park and Killacrim to be completed following damage from Storm Bert last November.

Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD, Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council Cllr Michael Foley, and Minister Norma Foley attended a ceremony marking the completion of the works.