Elderly couple fear losing their home as Wexford coastline disappears before their eyes – ‘We’ve lived here 42 years’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

The scale of the problem in Nemestown, Co Wexford is best illustrated by the remains of what was once a memorial bench located on the edge of the shoreline.

Erected ten years ago in memory of a young woman from the area, the bench has now been reduced to rubble, its outline just about visible as the tides wash up against it.

The next thing in those tides’ sights is the home of Pat and Kevin O’Neill, the home they have lived in for 42 years.

This particular part of Co Wexford is being decimated by coastal erosion on an annual basis, persistent storms and rising tides claiming up to five metres of land every winter. Pat and Kevin’s home is now approximately 20 metres from the sea and time is running out.

Simon Bourke in conversation with John O'Flaherty and Pat O'Neill outside the Ms O'Neill's home, which is threatened by erosion at Nemestrown. Photo: Jim Campbell. © Jim Campbell

A view of the embankment at Nemestown, which is under threat from erosion. Photo: Jim Campbell. © Jim Campbell

The embankment at Nemestown, which is under threat from erosion. Photo: Jim Campbell. © Jim Campbell

Recalling how her children used to play on a beach which is now almost completely devoid of sand, Pat (73) says she is scared by what lies ahead in the coming years.

“We’re living here 42 years. I’m really frightened by what’s happening here. This is all we have,” she says. “I’ve always loved the winter here but I’ve come to dread it too. It’s a daunting prospect, we’ve no protection here.”

That dread is centred around the storms which frequently batter this small coastal community, a community which Pat estimates consists of 80 people. However, out of those people, Pat and Kevin are on the frontline, residents in the house closest to the water.

Exacerbating the issue is Kevin’s (79) health. On the day we visit he is too unwell to meet us, his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) consigning him to his bed.

“That adds to the stress as well, massively,” says Pat. “He’s worried about what will happen to me. If there was some sort of assurance from the Office of Public Works (OPW) that it was going to address the situation (that worry would be less).”

Pat, and her neighbour John O’Flaherty, are now reliant on the OPW intervening on their behalf. In nearby Seaview, over €2m has been invested in coastal protection works to safeguard 14 homes there, and in Ballyhealy plans are in place for a similar scheme. Yet, to date, Nemestown has been ignored.

“They should be installing the rock armour here and going the whole way to Ballyhealy,” says John. “This has to start now because we know how long it takes to get these schemes going.

“There’s fields disappearing before our eyes. If you had a ten-acre field five years ago you don’t have a ten-acre field today.”

A fisherman by trade, John has lived in this area for his entire life and he is quick to challenge anyone brave enough to suggest climate change is not real.

“We had about 12 storms last year, people can say climate change is not happening but it is and it’s here,” he says. “The sea temperature is up one degree, I’m a fisherman and a lot of the fish are gone because of that increase. This is all down to climate change.

“There wasn’t as many storms 40 years ago, and the storms we’re getting now are vicious and they last two days. After a storm is over you go down to the beach and have a look at the coastline and you’ll be shocked by what you see.”

Some political parties have suggested that a ‘managed retreat’ is the best way to deal with coastal erosion, and that people like Pat and John should be relocated once the issue becomes unsustainable.

But this is not something Pat is willing to consider.

“Relocated to where?” she asks. “I don’t want to be relocated, we’ve lived here 42 years.”

Pat and the residents of Nemestown have been liaising with Councillors Aoife Rose O’Brien and Ger Carthy as they seek to alert the OPW to their concerns. And both councillors have stressed the importance of tackling the erosion in the area as a matter of urgency.

Having previously met with OPW Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran regarding Ballyhealy, Cllr Carthy said he would raise the concerns of those living in Nemestown directly with the minister when next they meet.

Cllr O’Brien, meanwhile, said this part of Co Wexford needed to be treated as a “priority location” in the fight against coastal erosion.

“I urge all the relevant government departments to work collaboratively to ensure that Nemestown is treated as a priority location for coastal erosion mitigation,” she said. “Investing in preventative measures now will help safeguard homes, livelihoods, local infrastructure and our natural heritage for future generations.

“The OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme exists to support local authorities in addressing coastal erosion risks, and communities such as Nemestown must be given the attention they deserve.

“The people of Nemestown deserve a clear commitment that meaningful action will be taken before further irreversible damage occurs. This is no longer a future risk—it is an ongoing reality.”