Select Image To Visit The Photo Gallery: Donnybrook Greenway And Uprooted Trees

Photographed By William Murphy

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MANY UPROOTED TREES

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Uprooted mature trees now line the banks, with many having fallen directly into the river channel. This damage marks the aftermath of a particularly turbulent season for Dublin’s weather.

When Did the Damage Occur?

The destruction witnessed along the Greenway is the result of a cumulative "one-two punch" from severe weather systems spanning late 2025 into January 2026.

Storm Claudia (November 2025): This system brought intense rainfall and Orange Weather Warnings to the capital. The resulting floodwaters saturated the riverbanks, loosening the soil around the root systems of the Dodder’s iconic old-growth trees.

Storm Darragh (December 2025): Shortly after the ground was softened by flooding, Storm Darragh brought high-velocity wind gusts that targeted these vulnerable trees.

Mid-January 2026 Gales: The most recent uprooting events occurred during a series of Atlantic depressions in the second week of January 2026. These final gusts were enough to topple trees that had been weakened by the previous months of saturation and stress.

A "Flashy" River in a Changing Climate

The River Dodder is notorious for being a "flashy" river—one that responds rapidly to rainfall. Between the Beatty’s Avenue entry point and Ballsbridge, the river narrows, increasing the velocity of the water during a surge.

When the river rises, the force of the current undercuts the banks. If this occurs simultaneously with high winds, even large, healthy trees can be pulled into the water. This phenomenon is precisely what has occurred over the last few weeks, leaving heavy timber submerged in the channel near the new flood defence walls.

Recovery and Maintenance

The section of the Greenway near Energia Park (Donnybrook) was part of a major investment in flood protection and public realm improvement. While the new pathways and flood walls have largely remained intact, the natural landscape has taken a hit.

Dublin City Council typically prioritises the following stages for recovery:

Path Clearance: Ensuring the Greenway remains passable for pedestrians and cyclists.

Structural Assessment: Inspecting the new flood walls for any impact damage caused by falling trunks.

River Debris Removal: Clearing the channel of heavy timber, a task that requires specialised machinery to ensure that the river's flow is not blocked, which could lead to secondary flooding.