Cathal BarryOther parishes fortunate to have escaped flooding damage
It’s business as usual for parishes all around the country despite many of them being adversely affected by extensive flooding caused by high tides and strong winds.
Parts of the country suffered further flooding this week with a number of major rivers bursting their banks leading to countless people having to be evacuated from their homes.
In Clare, further sections of the promenade wall in Lahinch disintegrated sending parts of it across a flooded carpark. The same promenade and carpark were left devastated following last week’s storms.
Canon Derek Feeney, Parish Priest of Ennistymon, however, told The Irish Catholic that Mass attendance has risen in Lahinch despite the adverse conditions and parishioners being displaced from their homes.
“It’s business as usual here. Everything is back up and running and Mass is going on as normal. People are helping each other through it. There is a great spirit among parishioners,” he said.
In Cork, the Lee broke its banks again and there was further flooding in Bantry. However, Fr Sean Crowley of Bantry parish said things were “getting back to normal and continuing just as before”. “Parishioners have been affected, of course. Houses and shops have been damaged but people are getting on with it now,” he added.
Other parishes contacted by The Irish Catholic this week indicated that they were fortunate to have escaped flooding damage and were open for business as usual.