Galway

“It was like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz meets the Exorcist,” according to artistic director Noeline Kavanagh, as they described their experience of storm Éowyn in the west.&nbsp;
As international storm troopers from Austria, Finland, the UK and the Netherlands travel to Ireland to help ESB networks deal with widespread power outages, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary visited residents on Inis Mór, An Cheatharú Rua and Carna.
According to Minister Calleary, he "wanted to see first hand the recovery effort and make sure the people of west Galway know that they will be given all the support they need."
County Galway recorded the highest wind speeds and the most damage, with some premises not expected to get electricity back until next week.
<h4>Rebuilding After Éowyn’s Trail of Destruction</h4>
Residents of Connemara are picking up the pieces after the devastating storm battered the region last Friday morning, leaving widespread damage, power outages, and communication blackouts in its wake.&nbsp;
For many, the storm is a stark reminder of the region’s exposure to the raw power of the Atlantic—but also of the community’s ability to weather even the toughest of challenges.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Gusts of 113.7 mph (185 km/h) were recorded at Mace Head in Carna, marking the strongest winds seen in decades and surpassing previous records set in February 1991.&nbsp;&nbsp;
“There is no electricity,” said local Carna resident, author and broadcaster, Máirtín Ó Catháin.&nbsp;
“There are pockets of electricity, but generally, it’s been a blackout since last Friday morning. Neither landlines nor mobile phones are working—no electricity, no connection—but we do have water.”&nbsp;&nbsp;
While damage to sheds and cars was widespread, Ó Catháin noted that residents in the area are somewhat accustomed to fierce winds.&nbsp;
“We are quite used to strong winds in our part of the world. Mace Head generally records the highest gusts in the country. People were shaken, but I know some who just slept right through it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

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<h4>Fundraiser To Rebuild Carna Home Devastated by Storm</h4>
The storm wreaked havoc on homes, vehicles, and outbuildings, with the most severe incident occurring near Carna village.&nbsp;
“Close to Carna, a house was destroyed when the roof fell in. The house is written off,” Ó Catháin explained.&nbsp;
“Thankfully, the lady who lives there had gone to a family members’ house, so she wasn’t there when it happened.”&nbsp;&nbsp;
Minister Calleary visited the home of Maureen Folan (74) who has lost her personal possessions along with the structural damage to her property.&nbsp;
A fundraiser has been established by the local community to help the widow, who lives alone, to get back on her feet following the devastation.&nbsp;

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<h5>Photo of Maureen from the fundraising page linked below.</h5>
Maureen is described as a “truly remarkable woman whose life was turned upside down by the devastation of storm Éowyn. She is known and loved throughout her community for her warmth, generosity and unshakable kindness.”&nbsp;
The home has been in her family for generations and the roof had been replaced 15 years ago.&nbsp;
“It’s hard to overstate the heartbreak of seeing such a cherished place, so full of memories, reduced to rubble,” says campaign organiser Gerard Kinnane.&nbsp;
The fundraiser is all the more vital as insurance isn’t available to cover the cost of rebuilding.&nbsp;
“It’s a way for all of us who care about Maureen to come together and help her rebuild – not just a house, but a home.”
To donate, follow the link here: <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuilding-a-home-maureen-folan-mcdonagh" target="_blank">Fundraiser to Help Maureen Folan Rebuild Her Home</a>&nbsp;
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<h4>A Record-Breaking Storm&nbsp;&nbsp;</h4>
As a world-renowned atmospheric monitoring station, Mace Head in Carna, owned by the University of Galway and operated in partnership with Met Éireann, played a critical role in recording the storm’s power.&nbsp;
“It was designed for monitoring atmospheric gases and serves as a benchmark for others in the world,” Ó Catháin explained.&nbsp;&nbsp;
He added that the station began recording wind speeds about 25 years ago and highlighted its significance in assessing global warming.&nbsp;
“With this storm, gusts of 113.7 mph were recorded, or 185 km/h—the worst in a long time.”&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h4>Life Without Power or Communication&nbsp;&nbsp;</h4>
The storm’s aftermath has left residents feeling isolated and vulnerable.&nbsp;
“People are in a state of fear due to the absence of telecommunication, light, and heat,” said Ó Catháin.&nbsp;
“But honestly, this is nothing new out here. Quite a number of years ago, we didn’t have as many outages.&nbsp;
“Storm Darragh was bad, and now we’ve had this storm. The incidents of such very high winds are somewhat exceptional. Hurricane-force winds are unusual.”&nbsp;&nbsp;
While some are calling for improved infrastructure to mitigate future disasters, Ó Catháin noted the challenges of such endeavours.&nbsp;
“Some quarters are pushing for better infrastructure, but it takes a long time to repair the system. It’s very difficult to start blaming the weather. The Ministers’ show of support is useful, though.”&nbsp;&nbsp;
In response, Galway County Council has rolled out a number of Emergency Response Hubs in partnership with local community groups and businesses, to assist people with basic needs such as water, hot food, phone charging, broadband access, shower and clothes washing facilities.
A full list can be found here: <a href="https://www.galway.ie/en/news/name,50423,en.html" target="_blank">Emergency Response Hubs</a>&nbsp;
<h4>Preparing for the Future&nbsp;&nbsp;</h4>
Ó Catháin suggested that solutions like a satellite system could improve communication during extreme weather events, but he emphasised that no country is immune to nature’s force.&nbsp;
“Even the richest country in the world can’t escape storm damage. Winds are very damaging on the west coast, and we’re very lucky we don’t get more of them as we are extremely exposed to the Atlantic.”&nbsp;&nbsp;
Despite the devastation, Ó Catháin remains pragmatic.&nbsp;
“I’m alright—it’s just one of those things. It’s bothersome, but that’s the way it goes. We can’t rule out more storms, though hopefully, they won’t be as severe.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Connemara Communities Rally After Storm Éowyn

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