Flood Risk Assessment in Kilkenny
Expert flood risk assessments for planning applications throughout County Kilkenny. From Kilkenny City on the River Nore to riverside developments along the Barrow and Suir, we've completed FRAs for residential, commercial, and agricultural sites across the county.
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 Kilkenny?
Yes, if your site is in or near Flood Zone A or B, or Kilkenny County Council has requested flood risk information at Further Information stage. The Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021–2027 and its Consolidated Strategic Flood Risk Assessment apply the 2009 Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines, so applications in or near flood zones need a site-specific FRA proportionate to the risk. In Kilkenny that usually means the River Nore, the Barrow along the eastern boundary, the Suir catchment in the south, and smaller tributaries such as the Kings River.
Flood Risk Assessment for Kilkenny Planning Applications
If you're submitting a planning application to Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021-2027 and the Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines.
Kilkenny has significant fluvial flood risk from three major river systems. The River Nore flows through Kilkenny City with well-documented flood zones. The River Barrow forms the eastern county boundary, while the Suir catchment affects the southern areas around Callan and Mullinvat. The Kings River and Dinan River create additional localised flood risk.
- River Nore corridor through Kilkenny City
- River Barrow sites (Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown)
- Suir catchment flooding (Callan, Mullinvat)
- Kings River and tributary flooding
- Urban infill sites in Kilkenny City flood zones
What's Included
Every FRA we complete for Kilkenny 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 Where data is limited or outdated, we undertake bespoke hydraulic modelling (1D/2D HEC-RAS).
Multi-Catchment Analysis
Assessment for sites affected by multiple river systems with appropriate hydraulic analysis.
FFL Comparison
Your proposed finished floor levels compared against design flood levels plus freeboard.
Development Plan Compliance
Explicit demonstration of compliance with Kilkenny County Development Plan flood risk policies.
Further Information Requests
Received an FI request from Kilkenny County Council asking for flood risk information? We regularly handle urgent FI responses for Kilkenny sites. Typical turnaround is 7–10 working days — often faster for straightforward sites.
Key Documents for Kilkenny Flood Risk Assessments
Every FRA we prepare for a Kilkenny 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:
Kilkenny County Council
- Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021–2027 (as varied)
- Kilkenny City & County Development Plan – Consolidated Strategic Flood Risk Assessment 2021–2027
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)
- OPW / gov.ie – Graiguenamanagh–Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme submitted for planning consent
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.
Kilkenny Flood Risk Assessment FAQs
Is Kilkenny City protected from the River Nore?
The Kilkenny City flood scheme on the Nore was completed in 2005, designed for the 100-year flood, according to the council's SFRA. Because the 2009 Guidelines map flood zones without defences, sites in the city still need an FRA that considers residual risk and climate change.
What about Graiguenamanagh and Thomastown?
The OPW submitted the Graiguenamanagh–Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme for planning consent in December 2025, designed to protect 84 properties to the 1% AEP standard. Until it is built, Barrow-side sites need assessment against the current OPW flood levels. Thomastown and other Nore sites are assessed using OPW CFRAM data.
Which flood data does Kilkenny County Council expect?
Design flood levels from OPW CFRAM or NIFM mapping on floodinfo.ie, checked against the flood zone mapping in the council's Consolidated SFRA, with finished floor levels compared against the 1% AEP level plus freeboard and climate change allowance.
Can I get planning permission in Flood Zone A in Kilkenny?
Possibly. Under the 2009 Guidelines, highly vulnerable development such as housing in Flood Zone A must pass the Development Management Justification Test, and Kilkenny County 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 Kilkenny?
Typically 7–10 working days from instruction for a Stage 2 assessment, and often faster for straightforward sites. If Kilkenny County 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 Kilkenny Site?
Send us your site address and we'll provide a fixed-price quote, typically within 24 hours.
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