UPDATE: Relief as flooding fails to damage artifacts at Limerick Flying Boat Museum

THERE is relief in Foynes today after priceless pieces of memorabilia at the Flying Boat Museum were not damaged by the flooding.

Over 24 hours of rainfall in the West Limerick village yesterday caused a man-made lake overhead the area to burst its banks, with water plunging down.

It caused the main N69 road into the village to be closed off for a time, as well as flooding the museum, which commemorates the first transatlantic flights from the port.

But museum director Margaret O’Shaughnessy confirmed this morning that although a lot of material damage has been done, “all the pieces we have in the store are safe”.

Insurance assessors are set for Foynes tomorrow to establish the damage.

In a post to Facebook, Ms O’Shaughnessy said: “This is devastating for the museum and all its wonderful staff but no Damage has been done to any of our artifacts. There is however considerable damage to all carpets, doors, walls etc but all of this can be repaired and replaced.”

She also paid tribute to the fire brigade, gardai, and members of the local community who helped minimise the damage last night.

“We have a few hard weeks ahead but look forward to having it all repaired as soon as possible,” Ms O’Shaughnessy added.

It was the Foynes flood defences – which prevent the Shannon bursting its banks – which perversely contained the water coming down from above the village.