On 5 December 2015 Met Éireann issued a red warning for storm conditions for Connacht and other parts of the country. Storm Desmond caused millions of Euro of damage in the Province, dumping record amounts of rainfall carried by moist air brought from the Carribean to the British Isles.

The lake rose quickly  onto some of the roads and the town moat (the only medieval town moat still functioning in Ireland) that carries the river from the lake burst its banks in a few places. Although we weren’t anyway nearly as badly hit as Ballinasloe or Claregalway, some low-lying houses on the Gort Road were flooded and the tennis courts and playground were also flooded. It was a repeat of conditions in 2009, possibly a symptom of global climate change.

Flooded playground, Fairgreen and road in front of Courthouse

Flooded road at moat in front of McD’s

Extremely high lake level at The Long Point.