Flood Risk Assessment in Galway
Expert flood risk assessments for planning applications in Galway City and County. From the River Corrib through Galway City to the Shannon callows in East Galway and the Atlantic coastline, we've completed FRAs across all flood types.
Get a Quote or call 087 417 3832 or WhatsAppIf we can’t answer, please leave a message or send a WhatsApp — we’ll get back to you.Do I need a Flood Risk Assessment for planning in Galway?
Yes, if your site is in or near Flood Zone A or B, or Galway County Council or Galway City Council has asked for flood risk information at Further Information stage. Both the Galway County Development Plan 2022–2028 and the Galway City Development Plan 2023–2029 are supported by Strategic Flood Risk Assessments that apply the 2009 Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines. In Galway an FRA often needs to cover the Corrib system, the Shannon and Suck callows, Galway Bay coastal flooding and, in south Galway, karst groundwater flooding.
Flood Risk Assessment for Galway Planning Applications
If you're submitting a planning application to Galway City Council or Galway County Council, and your site is in or near a flood zone, you'll need a Flood Risk Assessment that satisfies the requirements of the Galway County Development Plan 2022-2028 (or the Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029 for sites within the city) and the Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines.
Galway has diverse flood risk. The River Corrib system including Lough Corrib creates fluvial risk through the city. The Shannon and Suck rivers affect eastern Galway with extensive callows flooding. Coastal flood risk affects Galway Bay and the Atlantic coastline, while groundwater flooding is significant in the karst limestone areas of south Galway.
- River Corrib corridor through Galway City
- Lough Corrib shoreline developments
- Shannon callows and River Suck (Ballinasloe area)
- Coastal sites on Galway Bay
- Groundwater/turlough flooding in South Galway karst
What's Included
Every FRA we complete for Galway sites includes:
Stage 1, 2 & 3 Assessments
Proper methodology using OPW flood mapping and modelling data. Where data is limited or outdated, we undertake bespoke hydraulic modelling (1D/2D HEC-RAS).
Coastal & Groundwater
National coastal flood modelling data for Galway Bay sites. Groundwater flood assessment for karst areas.
FFL Comparison
Your proposed finished floor levels compared against design flood levels plus freeboard.
Development Plan Compliance
Explicit demonstration of compliance with Galway County/City Development Plan flood risk policies.
Further Information Requests
Received an FI request from Galway City or County Council asking for flood risk information? We regularly handle urgent FI responses for Galway sites. Typical turnaround is 7–10 working days — often faster for straightforward sites.
Key Documents for Galway Flood Risk Assessments
Every FRA we prepare for a Galway site is assessed against the development plan and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) of the relevant planning authority, the national flood risk guidelines, and the latest OPW flood data:
Galway County Council
- Galway County Development Plan 2022–2028 (as varied)
- County Galway SFRA flood zone mapping (CDP 2022–2028), data.gov.ie
Galway City Council
- Galway City Development Plan 2023–2029
- Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (Volume 3 of the Galway City Development Plan 2023–2029)
National guidance and flood data
- The Planning System and Flood Risk Management – Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DoEHLG & OPW, November 2009)
- The Planning System and Flood Risk Management – Technical Appendices (November 2009)
- Circular PL 2/2014 – Flooding Guidelines (revised Section 5.28 on minor development)
- OPW Flood Maps – floodinfo.ie (CFRAM, NIFM and NCFHM flood mapping)
- Geological Survey Ireland – GWFlood groundwater flood maps (historic and predictive)
- Geological Survey Ireland – Gort Lowlands Groundwater Flood Modelling Report (2021)
Links open the official source documents. Development plans are periodically varied, so we always check the current version and any variation SFRA when preparing your report.
Galway Flood Risk Assessment FAQs
Which council do I apply to, and does it change the FRA?
Sites within the city boundary go to Galway City Council under the Galway City Development Plan 2023–2029; everywhere else goes to Galway County Council under the Galway County Development Plan 2022–2028. The methodology is the same, but each council has its own SFRA flood zone mapping and policies, and the FRA must show compliance with the correct plan.
Is groundwater flooding a planning issue in south Galway?
Yes. The Gort lowlands have historically had the most severe groundwater flooding in Ireland, and Geological Survey Ireland has produced detailed groundwater flood modelling for the area. Turlough and karst flooding is not shown on standard OPW river maps, so we check the GSI GWFlood historic and predictive maps for sites on limestone.
Is a flood relief scheme planned for Galway City?
Yes. The Coirib go Cósta (Galway City Flood Relief Scheme) is in development with the OPW and Galway City Council, and public consultation events were held in April 2026. Until defences are built, city sites on the Corrib and the waterfront must be assessed against the existing fluvial and tidal flood levels plus climate change allowances.
Can I get planning permission in Flood Zone A in Galway?
Possibly. Under the 2009 Guidelines, highly vulnerable development such as housing in Flood Zone A must pass the Development Management Justification Test, and Galway County Council or Galway City Council will expect a site-specific FRA to show the development, its occupants and its access are safe without increasing flood risk elsewhere. Minor development such as small extensions, small-scale infill and changes of use is treated differently under Circular PL 2/2014: the Justification Test does not apply, but a commensurate flood risk assessment is still required.
How long does a Flood Risk Assessment take in Galway?
Typically 7–10 working days from instruction for a Stage 2 assessment, and often faster for straightforward sites. If Galway County Council or Galway City Council has issued a Further Information request with a deadline, tell us when you get in touch and we will prioritise it. Stage 3 assessments with hydraulic modelling take longer and are scoped per site.
Need an FRA for a Galway Site?
Send us your site address and we'll provide a fixed-price quote, typically within 24 hours.
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