Drainage scheme changed the Moy forever

At the age of 59, my dad got his first job. He had worked as a farmer all his life but this job provided him with his first real wage packet and a stamp. His job was working as a casual labourer on the Moy Drainage Scheme of the 1960s and early 1970s.

My dad’s joy was doubled by the fact that, as a result of the drainage scheme, his small farm on the banks of the Moy would never flood again. The scheme consisted of over 650 channels, with a total length of almost 800 miles, in the river Moy catchment, covering counties Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. While the benefits for such farms were great, the drainage works had a devastating effect on the natural character of the river and most of its famous old pools and renowned fishing sites were destroyed.

The concept of draining Ireland’s river system had been long talked about. The saucer-shaped Irish landscape meant that almost every large river in the country struggled to make its way to the sea. Farmland was frequently inundated and losses were sporadic and considerable. Many crops were damaged or washed away each year and so it was decided that something simply had to be done. The Moy and its catchment were high on the list of urgent projects.

Red flag 

Local angling organisations were the first to point out that such a scheme might not have at heart the best interests of the fish who populated the river. In an article in the Western People in November 1958, the first red flag was raised. Fifty-five employees of the Moy Fishery Company, Ballina, signed a protest against the drainage scheme, and sent it to the Ministers for Finance and Industry and Commerce and to local Dail representatives. The following is an excerpt from their letter headed, Anglers Protest.

We, the undersigned, being employees of the Moy Fishery, Ballina, Co. Mayo, and other persons gaining livelihood from the salmon fishing industry on the River Moy, respectfully wish to draw your attention to our position in respect of the proposed drainage scheme in connection with the River Moy and its tributaries. We believe that if this scheme is carried out the fishing will be practically destroyed and our occupations lost. 

For a large number of us our working connection with the Fisheries is our only source of income and for the rest of us our work in connection with the Fisheries means the difference between a bare subsistence and a living wage. We would respectfully ask you to balance the loss to the undersigned against whatever gain you consider will arise from the scheme.

On the other hand, there was a much larger group of people who were more concerned about the families who lived along the river than they were about the fish who lived in the river. Small farmers, along the entire length of the Moy, were pushing an open door as such drainage schemes had become government policy. In 1938, a drainage commission had been set up which recommended two fundamental and far-reaching changes as follows: firstly, the entire Irish river catchment (in Ireland) should be used as the basis for the design and execution of schemes; second, the initiative for undertaking such schemes should be vested in the Office of Public Works, which would meet the full cost of design and execution of schemes. Later, in 1945, the Arterial Drainage Act gave effect to the recommendations.

Local and national politicians were eager to get on board and were quite willing to sacrifice the few votes coming from the marginalised angling groups. A public meeting held in Curry, Co Sligo, in January 1959 gives some idea of the overwhelming support for the drainage scheme among those attending.

Mr P J. Rogers, T.D., Ballymote, who received much applause, addressing the gathering, apologised for his absence at a similar meeting called some weeks ago. He was glad to be there that night and together with his colleagues, Mr Gilbride. T.D. North Sligo, and Deputy Flynn, Leitrim, he would give all the assistance possible on the question of the drainage of the Moy. On a former occasion Deputy Calleary, Ballina, and Deputy Kenny, Mayo, had assisted airing questions relating to the Moy drainage and they found the Dept officials very approachable and helpful. 

“I can assure this Committee that together with the Deputies in Sligo, Leitrim and Mayo, I will continue in my endeavours to further this urgent necessity.” concluded Mr Rogers.

White flag 

Without further delay, and it would seem without much environmental planning, the scheme started a few short months later. The opening of the scheme was announced as follows in a short article in the Tuam Herald of April 30, 1960. 

The Moy Drainage Scheme, which will cost about £3 million and will provide work for 700 men at peak periods, was formally declared open by An Taoiseach (Mr Sean Lemass) at Shanaghy, near Ballina, last week. The scheme, which will take ten to twelve years for completion, provides for the improvement of about 750 miles of watercourses, including 50 miles of the main river Moy. About 48,000 acres of agricultural land will be drained, and will make possible the development of about 11,000 acres of bog.

Almost eleven years later, on Saturday, October 31, 1970, the Western People ran an article under the heading, Winding Up the Moy Drainage Scheme, announcing that the scheme was about to come to an end. It contains some interesting facts, including a doubling of the original cost estimates.

The Moy Drainage Scheme, which is expected to cost £6,000.000, finally ends next March, 14 months ahead of its 12 years' schedule. At its peak, the scheme employed 700 but the employment has been reduced to 260 at present with works in progress in the outer limbs at Crossmolina and Carrowmore in Co Sligo, while work is progressing on the deepening of the inflow to the 'Ballina Box' at the Moy Fishery Company's weirs in Ballina. By the end of October and early November the workforce will be phased down to the 180 with a gradual slackening off until the scheme is finally completed in mid-Spring.

Methodology 

The river had evolved naturally since the time of the last Ice Age. It was only with an increase in agricultural activity that the river and its habit of flooding became a problem. Up to that point, the river had formed itself into a pristine nature reserve that surrounded the base of the Ox Mountains. The river had lived a good life and was just about to grow old gracefully but as 1960 approached, the Moy, Queen of the Plain, was about to undergo the mother and father of all facelifts.

The engineering aspect of the drainage project, while crude and laborious was simple in approach. The plan was to deepen, widen and straighten the main channel of the river and then train its countless tributaries, most of them extending into bogland. The drainage project was akin to imposing a massive act of vengeance on the peaceful, innocent river.

Next week, I will revisit the scene, as the huge dragline machines slowly dredged and blasted their way upriver, along the main channel of the river Moy. It was not always a pretty sight and in hindsight, one wonders if it was such a good idea after all.