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KRB 30-09-2024 Kings Island Flood Relief Scheme Contract Signing- Limerick City and County Council and Office of Public Works - Mayor of Limerick John Moran with Elected Representatives, Officials and residents - Picture by: Kieran Ryan-Benson KRB 30-09-2024 Kings Island Flood Relief Scheme Contract Signing- Limerick City and County Council and Office of Public Works - Mayor of Limerick John Moran with Elected Representatives, Officials and residents - Picture by: Kieran Ryan-Benson

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Contract signed for King’s Island Flood Relief Scheme

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Limerick City and County Council and OPW Sign Contract for King’s Island Flood Relief Scheme. Picture by: Kieran Ryan-Benson

Main contract for the King’s Island Flood Relief Scheme signed by Limerick City and County Council with the Office of Public Works

KRB 30-09-2024  Kings Island Flood Relief Scheme Contract Signing- Limerick City and County Council and Office of Public Works -L-R Dr Pat Daly Director General Limerick City and County Council, Kieran O’Donnell TD Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Mayor of Limerick John Moran, Padraig Burke Ward & Burke Construction Ltd and Mark Loughnane  Ward & Burke Construction Ltd  -  Picture by: Kieran Ryan-Benson
Dr Pat Daly, Director General Limerick City and County Council, Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell TD, Mayor of Limerick John Moran, Padraig Burke Ward & Burke Construction Ltd and Mark Loughnane Ward & Burke Construction Ltd. Picture by: Kieran Ryan-Benson

Limerick City and County Council, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works (OPW), announced the signing of the main contract for the King’s Island Flood Relief Scheme with Ward & Burke Construction Ltd. This significant milestone marks the commencement of a major project aimed at protecting King’s Island and surrounding areas from future flooding events.

King’s Island, located in the heart of Limerick City, is surrounded by the River Shannon and the Abbey River. Both rivers are tidal at this location, making the island susceptible to coastal and fluvial flood risks. On February 1, 2014, significant flooding occurred, causing extensive damage.

The King’s Island Flood Relief Scheme aims to prevent such events by enhancing flood defences, thereby safeguarding the community, social amenities, environment, and landscape character.


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The King’s Island Flood Relief Scheme includes 2,200 metres of 2.5-metre-high earthen flood embankment with a 3-metre-wide footpath/cycleway and public lighting; flood defence upgrades to existing quay walls, including deconstruction of existing quay walls and parapets, lime mortar repointing, lime grouting, and stonework repair; and the construction of flood defence walls: 290 metres with glass panels and 810 metres of stone-clad reinforced concrete walls.

Associated works includine 600m of access routes with a new fisherman’s access; and road resurfacing, railings, public lighting, topsoiling and landscaping.

An advance works contract was completed in October 2017. Planning for the main contract was submitted to An Bord Pleanála in December 2019, with consent granted in May 2021. Detailed design, site investigation, and archaeological excavations were conducted in 2022 and 2023. The tender process in February 2024 resulted in Ward & Burke Construction Ltd being awarded the contract for €32 million (excluding VAT). Construction is set to begin in October 2024 and is programmed for completion in twenty-four months.

The Flood Relief Scheme will protect 506 residential and 22 non-residential properties from tidal flooding, offering a Standard of Protection of 0.5% annual exceedance probability. This will enhance residential amenity, promote business and tourism, and protect culturally and economically significant tourist destinations. Additionally, new footpaths and cycle paths will improve recreation and tourism opportunities around King’s Island.

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “After years of planning it is great to see this project get underway for real. By investing in these robust defences, we are not only protecting homes and business but also saving the future of King’s Island. Coupled with the recent THRIVE funding announcement for historic buildings on Nicholas Street and surrounding areas, the flood relief scheme allows us to move forward with other projects like the new community centre and the King John’s Castle Masterplan.”

Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Kieran O’Donnell TD welcomed the progress on the scheme saying that the signing of the contract “marks a significant milestone for the project”.

He said the investment aims to “minimise the risk of flooding to the existing community and prevent re-occurrences of similar flood events that the area experienced in 2014”.

The Minister of State said, “In addition to protecting homes, properties and the community of King’s Island, the scheme will include public realm upgrades and enhancement of the built heritage of this historic part of our great city.

“As with all OPW flood relief projects, this scheme, when constructed, will be adaptable to continue to provide protection against today’s flood risk and the growing risk from climate change into the future. I very much welcome the progress on the scheme to date with construction ready to get underway and wish to acknowledge the ongoing collaboration between the Office of Public Works and Limerick City and County Council.”

Director General of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly says the collaborative approach to the scheme is reaping rewards.

He said, “Today’s contract signing is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the Limerick City and County Council staff, the Office of Public Works, and our partners. Their unwavering commitment and collaborative efforts have been instrumental in progressing the King’s Island Flood Relief Scheme to this pivotal stage. This project not only represents a significant investment in our community’s safety and resilience but also showcases the power of teamwork in achieving long-term, sustainable solutions for flood risk management.  Our ultimate goal is to provide peace of mind for the local community, ensuring that residents and businesses can feel secure knowing that robust flood defences are in place to protect their homes and livelihoods.”

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.