Galway’s Storm Éowyn emergency support network to be recognised on national stage
A community support network established by Galway County Council in the wake of Storm Éowyn is set to receive national recognition for its local, community-led approach to emergency response.
The County-Wide Community Support Centre Network will be highlighted as a Galway success story at a National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) workshop later this year.
The network was established in December 2025, almost a year after Storm Éowyn, to formalise a community-based response for future emergencies. It transformed what had been an ad hoc response into a county-wide system with designated support centres, agreed procedures and clearly defined responsibilities.
Storm Éowyn caused a significant amount of damage in January 2025.
Storm Éowyn struck the west of Ireland in January 2025, causing widespread damage and lengthy power outages across many rural communities. Winds of almost 185kmh battered the coast and resulted in an estimated 24,000 hectares of forest damage.
In the aftermath of the storm, Galway County Council sought expressions of interest from community groups willing to assist during future emergencies. The initiative also focused on improving storm resilience and household preparedness.
“The response from communities across Galway during Storm Éowyn was exceptional, with people volunteering their time and local facilities being made available to support those affected. The experience also showed us the importance of having a clear framework in place so that this support can be coordinated effectively when it is needed,” said Theresa Donohue, Community Development Administrative Officer with Galway County Council.
Ms Donohue will present the project and the lessons learned from its development at the NOAC workshop.