Minister Moran and Dublin City Council welcome completion of the €3.8 million River Wad – Phase 1B Flood Relief Scheme

Mr. Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works today, 2 July, announced the completion of the €3.8 million River Wad – Phase 1B Flood Relief Scheme that is protecting some 55 residential and 6 non-residential properties in the area from Clanmoyle Road to the river’s outfall at the end of Clontarf Promenade. 

The flood relief works were completed by a partnership of the Office of Public Works and Dublin City Council.  

Speaking today, Minister Moran said “I am delighted to announce the completion of the River Wad – Phase 1B Flood Relief Scheme which together with Phase 1A are now protectinga  total of 112 properties at a combined cost of €9.4 million. It also forms part of a group of 57 completed flood relief schemes that are protecting over 13,640 properties nationwide. I wish to acknowledge the support from the local community that was valuable to inform the design of a scheme for this section of the River Wad, which is protecting some 60 properties at risk from flooding. This phase will also help mitigate against the flooding that occurred in this area in August 2023.”

A study of the River Wad catchment area was initiated following heavy flooding in 2008 and 2009 on the River Wad. This study was carried out of the entire River Wad catchment, which resulted ultimately in a decision to progress a flood relief scheme for the River Wad in three parts. The first part, Phase 1A was completed in 2015 and this part, Phase 1B, is the second part. In 2020, Dublin City Council with funding from the OPW appointed engineering and environmental consultants to design Phase 1B of the River Wad flood relief scheme. 

Dennis Keeley, Assistant Chief Executive, Climate & Urban Resilience, Dublin City Council said, “This project highlights Dublin City Council’s commitment to protecting communities from flooding. These works will make a real difference in Clontarf by protecting homes, services and key infrastructure, while also preparing for the impacts of climate change. We will continue to work closely with the OPW to deliver flood relief projects across the city.”

The scheme was designed by Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd with construction work carried out as two contracts by Triur Construction Ltd and Ward & Burke Construction Ltd and, that were appointed by Dublin City Council in July 2024 and August 2025 respectively. The scheme was completed in March 2026. 

The works carried out, comprise of a new tunnel under Howth Road and an upgrade of the outfall at the seafront in Clontarf.

Minister Moran concluded by highlighting the Government is investing some €228m in flood risk management schemes across Dublin City and County and that the River Wad – Phase 1B Flood Relief Scheme is one of sixteen flood relief schemes completed or in development across the city and county.  

This Scheme is part of the Government’s strategy under Project Ireland 2040 to make Ireland a better country for all and to build a more resilient and sustainable future.  From a financial perspective, the scheme has been funded through the Government’s 2030 National Development Plan with €1.3 billion in flood relief available under the 2030 National Development Plan to protect communities across Ireland from the impacts of climate change through future-proofed, adaptable flood relief schemes.  

In addition to these major schemes, the OPW has approved approximately €4.8 million to County Dublin under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for localised flood relief works across some 26 other locations in the county. 

***Photographs from today’s launch will be syndicated to media by Fennell Photography***

ENDS