This article is from page 16 of the 2014-01-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
LIVING in a house overlooking Farhiy Bay in Baltard, Doonbeg is a blessing most of the year, but the storm and high tides at the beginning of the New Year made it a precarious place to call home.
Gearoid Greene along with his wife and five children were shocked as the spray from the storm and high tide of January 7 beat off the back of the house.
What made it all the more surprising was the fact that the house was far above sea level, looking down on the sea from a great height.
Shortly after 8am as the storm took hold the family were in fear of severe damage to their home and even considered moving while the storm abated.
The winds and strength of the sea blew in the stones from the periphery wall into the garden, leaving the back of the home, which faces on to the sea, exposed.
Wiring securing electric poles were also up rooted, in damage never witnessed in the area before.
As well as dealing with the clean- up of the storm and the rebuilding of the secure wall, this farming family must also contend with reseeding land covered by seawater, when and if it eventually dries, in time for this year’s harvest.
The cost of the bad weather continues to be counted.