Man with brain cancer has to be treated ‘by candlelight’ in town without power since Storm Éowyn – The Irish Times

Life Without Light: Storm Éowyn Leaves Dunmore in Darkness

Six days after the storm roared through Ireland, Dunmore, County Galway, remains shrouded in an unsettling silence. The lights are out, and for residents, the days feel more like a living nightmare than reality.

A fragile lifeline in the form of a generator hums beside Glynn’s pub, powering a makeshift hut that offers the only hint of normality – a meager source of hot water and electricity.Yet, the town center, usually bustling with life, is eerily deserted save for the faint sounds of desperation. The local SuperValu, despite its best efforts to deliver much-needed food supplies, remains closed, leaving residents stranded and struggling to get even the simplest necessities.

John Mulrennan, owner of Dunmore Hardware, watches as anxious faces scurry in and out of his shop, frantically searching for batteries and candles. “I had six months of gas supply for camping. It was gone in two days,” Mulrennan laments. “I got in batteries, but they’re all gone now. People are getting annoyed. You can’t even get a pint of milk in town.” The dwindling inventory is a reflection of the town’s fading hope.

Beyond the physical struggle for survival, the storm’s impact cuts even deeper for those who rely on electricity for their wellbeing.joan Comer, caught in the heartbreaking reality of administering palliative care to her 28-year-old son rory, who battles brain cancer, lives in fear. “There’s a boil water notice now,just to insult us further,” she says,her voice thick with despair. “It’s awful – it’s the uncertainty. We were told January 28th,then 29th,then February 5th,and now they can’t even give us a time.”

The power outage has transformed a routine of life into a desperate fight for basic necessities. Nurses are forced to administer controlled medication by candlelight,a chilling reminder of just how fragile life can be. This prolonged blackout is no mere inconvenience – it’s a test of resilience and a stark reminder of the community’s indomitable spirit.

Storm Éowyn: A Path of destruction Through Galway

An ash tree in a field in Caherlistrane, Co Galway, which blew down during Storm Éowyn

Last Saturday, Storm Éowyn unleashed its fury on Galway, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The storm’s strongest impact was felt in north Galway, where homes suffered damage and vital infrastructure was disrupted.The storm’s impact on local communities was immediate and profound. A concerned resident shared their anxieties, stating, “we are terrified administering the meds or that he will fall and we will not be able to get through to people.” This chilling statement highlights the immense challenges in accessing healthcare amidst the chaos caused by the storm. The storm wreaked havoc on medical equipment in Glenamaddy, with essential components needing to be sourced from abroad.

The sheer destructive force of Storm Éowyn was evident everywhere. A field just outside Caherlistrane was transformed into a desolate wasteland, littered with fallen Leylandii trees. Over 200 of these majestic trees succumbed to the storm’s unrelenting wind. Derek Burke, a witness to the scene, described it as “stark devastation,” adding, “The trees fell over like dominoes.” He pointed to a lone survivor, a single tree still standing but perilously tilted at a 45-degree angle, its exposed roots a testament to the storm’s power.

Football Club Turns into a Community Hub During Storm

Volunteers at Moyne villa FC demonstrate‌ their commitment to helping their community during the power outages.

A recent storm, leaving swathes of the community without power, brought out the best in local heroes, with Moyne Villa FC in Headford, County Galway, stepping up as a beacon of hope. The club’s dressing rooms, showers, and communal spaces transformed into a lifeline for residents struggling with the blackout.

“I’m in the Ballinrobe area. There’s no facilities like that here, no power at all,” club secretary Alan Cantwell explained, highlighting the critical need for such resources. For many, Moyne Villa became a haven offering warmth, sanitation, and a much-needed sense of community during a difficult time.

The club’s generosity didn’t stop at providing basic necessities.Recognizing the disruption the power outages caused to education, they repurposed one of their dressing rooms into a study space for local students facing mock exams. “Another dressingroom has been converted into a study room for local students preparing for their mock exams,” a club member shared.

Sarah martlew, a dedicated volunteer at the club, emphasized the importance of recognizing community spaces like theirs during future emergencies. “The government should learn lessons from this storm and designate places like ours as hubs to be supplied with generators in the event of a storm,” she urged. Her call to action underscores the significant potential of such community hubs in times of crisis.

What Resources Are Available to Community Organizations Like Moyne Villa FC to Better Equip Them to Handle Future Emergencies?

The remarkable response of Moyne Villa FC highlights the crucial role community organizations play during emergencies. While their dedication is commendable, proactive measures can equip them even better for future challenges.

Several resources are available to

Grants and Funding: Numerous organizations and government programs provide funding for community infrastructure upgrades, disaster preparedness training, and emergency equipment.
Partnerships: Collaborating with local authorities, businesses, and other organizations can provide access to resources, expertise, and logistical support.* Training and Workshops: Workshops on disaster management,first aid,and emergency communication can equip volunteers with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively.

Moyne Villa FC: A Beacon of Hope During Galway storm

Storm Éowyn raged through County Galway last weekend, leaving thousands in darkness and disrupting countless lives. Amidst the chaos, Moyne Villa FC transformed into a vital hub of support for their community.Club secretary Alan Cantwell and volunteer Sarah Martlew spoke about their experience, sharing valuable insights into the power of community resilience.

“Our showers and dressing rooms became a necessity for people who didn’t have running water or a way to heat up food,” Cantwell explained. “It was essential for people to have somewhere warm and safe to go, especially with power outages causing disruption to everything.”

The club’s dedication to its community extended beyond providing basic necessities. Sarah Martlew recounted how they transformed one of the dressing rooms into a study space for students facing high-pressure mock exams. “We certainly know how stressful that can be,” Martlew said, “and we wanted to make sure they still had a place to study uninterrupted. It was amazing to see the community coming together to support each other during such a difficult time.”

Cantwell emphasized the crucial role Moyne Villa FC played, especially in rural communities struggling with the aftermath of the storm. “There are certain areas, especially rural communities, that have been hit really badly by the lack of power and infrastructure. In those areas, places like our football club are vital. People rely on us.”

Looking ahead, martlew believes this experience highlights the need for designated community centers equipped to handle emergencies. ““We need somewhere that has backup generators and resources readily available to support people when they need it most,” she said. “Perhaps the government could consider this for future storms and other crises.”

The storm showcased the incredible strength of the community spirit in headford. The impact on Moyne Villa FC, and the actions of its members, serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of community support and preparedness in the face of adversity.

How can designated community centers like Moyne Villa FC, equipped with backup generators and essential resources, contribute to better preparedness for future emergencies?

moyne Villa FC: A Beacon of Hope During Galway Storm

interview with Alan Cantwell, Club Secretary, and Sarah Martlew, volunteer, Moyne Villa FC

Archyde News: Tell us about the remarkable response of Moyne Villa FC during the recent storm that impacted County Galway.

Alan Cantwell: it was a challenging time for many in the community with widespread power outages and disruption. Our showers and dressing rooms quickly became a necessity for people who lacked access to running water or a way to heat food. It was essential to provide people with a warm and safe place to go, especially with the added stress of everything being shutdown.

Sarah Martlew: We also recognized the disruption the outages were causing to education. A lot of students were facing mock exams, and we wanted to ensure they still had a space to study uninterrupted. We converted one of the dressing rooms into a dedicated study space for them.

Archyde news: It sounds like Moyne Villa FC became a lifeline for many residents. Why do you think your club was so well-equipped to step up in this way?

Alan Cantwell: We’re deeply committed to being a pillar of the community, and we believe in looking out for each other, especially during difficult times.We have a strong network of volunteers who are always willing to help, and we had the space and resources to make a real difference.

Sarah Martlew: It was a real testament to the spirit of our community. People came together, shared what they had, and supported one another. It highlighted the importance of these community spaces for everyone, not just for sports.

archyde News: Looking ahead, are there any lessons learned from this experience that could help community organizations be better prepared for future emergencies?

Sarah Martlew: Absolutely. We need designated community centers equipped with backup generators and essential resources readily available in times of crisis. Perhaps the government could consider designating spaces like ours as official emergency hubs. This would not only benefit smaller communities like ours but also provide additional support to larger areas when needed.