Environmental inspectors will visit Ennis this month to examine an overgrown river which it’s claimed is the cause of persistent flooding.
Residents of Corrovorrin and surrounding parts of the town have renewed their calls for urgent maintenance to be carried out on the part of the River Fergus adjacent to their homes as the level of vegetation in the river is said to be “out of all control”.
Running underneath the Tulla Road and alongside a large number of homes in the residential area of Corrovorrin, the Fergus Beag, also known as the Fergus Minor, was once a source of pride for locals.
Many have memories of fishing along the riverbank and recall the sight of kingfishers, dippers, otters and other creatures.
However, locals report a deterioration of their section of the river within the last number of decades due to a lack of maintenance which has led to a build-up of vegetation.
This, it’s claimed, has led to the natural beauty of the river becoming spoiled as well as seasonal flooding of homes, yards, gardens, parts of the road and even the historic Corrovorrin Graveyard which dates back to the early 1800s.
Noel Coughlan, who’s lived in Corrovorrin for nearly 50 years, says despite some attempts, no long-term solution to their woes has yet been implemented by Clare County Council.
Such is the magnitude of residents’ concerns, Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Daly has raised a motion on the Corrovorrin River at this week’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District.
The motion has called for plans to be put in place for “an annual cleaning of the river from the Tulla Road Bridge back upstream”, for “existing unzoned lands along the length of the Corrovorrin river be kept free of any future development” and for “existing green or biodiversity corridors to be protected and preserved”.
Councillor Daly says when the area of the river was brought to his attention, he thought it was in a “desperate condition”.
Responding to Councillor Daly’s motion, the Ennis Municipal District says an inspection of the section of the river in question would be carried out as soon as weather conditions and river levels permit.
The reply states it would need to apply for funding under the Climate Action Fund for 2025 due to the scale of the works required and that following appropriate environmental approvals from Inland Fisheries Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, a plan for works will be drawn up “within the next 12 months”.
Local man Tom Verling, who attended the meeting, believes the timeframe given is “ridiculous” and that the Ennis Municipal District “seems to be on a different plain”.
Subsequent to the meeting, Councillor Daly has been informed that Inland Fisheries Ireland will inspect the river within the next two weeks.
In addition, Ennis Municipal District has given an indication that maintenance could be carried out sooner than expected.
Corrovorrin resident Ollie McMahon insists the section of the river has great potential as an amenity for locals as well as a tourist attraction.
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