3rd April, 2026

Public Meeting Assessed the Effects of Climate on Fenit Island Tombolo

Fenit Coast Conservation, in conjunction with Tralee Golf Club, Barrow, invited Professor Eugene Farrell, Geography Department, University of Galway, to begin a community conversation on the effects of climate change on Fenit Island Tombolo, helping to identify and assess areas at risk of coastal erosion and flooding in both the short and long term.

Professor Farrell, along with six post-graduate students, led a public meeting on Friday, 27th March, 2026. The meeting began with an assessment of the risks of climate change on the Tombolo and surrounding area, exploring practical prevention and management strategies.

The second part of the meeting was dedicated to receiving the opinions and experiences of the local community.

The area which will be affected by the destruction of the Tombolo is far wider than Fenit. It will affect Fenit Island, Tawlaght, Chapeltown, Ballyea, Barrow, Barrow House and access to the golf club.

The community in Barrow will also be cut off from its hinterland with greater frequency by high spring tides. It will lead to the destruction of the two longest beaches in Fenit, thereby diminishing the tourism potential, counteracting the recent investment in the tourism infrastructure in Fenit.

Barrow Harbour will also be adversely affected.  It is part of a Natura 2000 site, therefore protected in law.  There are an estimated 22,000 birds that over-winter there, including the iconic Brent Geese, whose most southerly over-wintering site this is.

Failure to protect the tombolo will irreparably adversely affect a wide area socially, ecologically, economically and environmentally, so it was incredibly impactful to have such a large and engaging crowd to come together to discuss the future of their tombolo and surrounding environs.