Future of Blackrock’s flood defences to be mapped out at public event
The future of flood protection in the coastal village of Blackrock is set to take centre stage at a public participation day in Dundalk next week.
Louth County Council has confirmed the event will take place on Thursday, 26 March, from 11am to 7pm in the Blackrock Suite at the Fairways Hotel, where residents and stakeholders will be invited to help shape emerging proposals for a long‑awaited flood relief scheme.
According to the local authority, the session will present a range of “high‑level, emerging flood relief options for Blackrock” with the aim of gathering views and ensuring the community plays “a meaningful role in shaping any future flood protection for Blackrock.”
Attendees will be able to examine each shortlisted option and speak directly with project team members about the constraints, technical considerations and opportunities associated with each approach.
Dundalk and Blackrock have experienced repeated flooding over the past two decades, with major events recorded in 2008, 2014, 2016 and 2020. More recently, severe coastal flooding was reported during storms earlier this year, highlighting the village’s vulnerability.
The area’s low‑lying topography, combined with the increasing impact of climate change, has accelerated calls for a sensitive and sustainable flood relief scheme. The need for such a project was first set out in the Catchment Flood Risk and Management (CFRAM) Study, published by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2018.
Any future proposals will also be assessed for potential impacts on neighbouring communities, in line with the requirements of the EU Floods Directive.
The public participation day marks the next step in the development of flood mitigation plans for one of Louth’s most exposed coastal areas, with local input expected to play a key role in shaping what happens next.