In Fermoy, Ireland

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This report by Donal O'Lochlainn of Sources OPW, Baptie Group Hydrology Report, Cork City, appeared in the Avondhu on 8th March 2007. Here it is in part. Flood Risk in Fermoy. There were four floods in 1988, however the worst of that year was the fourth, on the 22nd October. The flood level was approximately waist deep at the Avondhu Bar. I recorded, on video, the late Phyllis Nelligan being evacuated from her premises by the Donnellan brothers in a canoe. University College Cork and the OPW have ranked the five worst floods since 1853 in order of magnitude: they are 1853 (worst) 1948, 1916, 1946 and 1980. The 1916 flood occurred on 8th December. Earlier that year on 18th November two soldiers, members of the 2nd and 5th Leicesters, were swept away from the bridge and lost their lives. They were Corporal Bertie Smith, North Luffenham, Rutlandshire and Private Hedley Jewell, Appleby Magna, Leicestershire. Both are buried in the Fermoy Military Graveyard. The levels recorded in Fermoy for the 1916 flood put the flood level at Brian Boru Square at approximately the top of the window on what is now the Flower Shop, Deerpark Florist (about 2.2 meters). The predicted flood level for the 100-year flood is 2.5 meters at the same point. Flood levels were not recorded for the 1948 event, however we know from levels recorded elsewhere, that the 1948 event was probably worse than the 1916 event in Fermoy. The 1853 flood happened on 2nd November, the same day that Loreto Convent opened. In the history of Loreto Convent, this flood is described as causing enormous damage in Fermoy. The 100-year flood, as it is called, is really a simple way of expressing the probability of a very significant flood. The 100-year flood means that in any year there is a 1 in 100 chance of it happening. Here are some examples of predicted flood depths for well known properties in Fermoy. Fermoy Swimming Pool 1.11 metres at reception. (Compulsory swimming to get in?) Fermoy Rowing Club 0.74 metres in the boat storage area. Fermoy Community Centre 1.57 metres at reception. Fermoy Garda Station 0.98 metres at reception. Fermoy Credit Union 0.93 metres at reception. O'Herlihy's Centra 0.91 metres and last but the highest of all, Poacher's Rest Kent Street 1.81 metres (almost 6ft)!