The great river valleys of the south-east, marketed as the region's primary tourism asset, proved a double-edged resource as they funnelled the weekend's prolonged rainfall into a number of vulnerable pressure points.
All major roads in the region remained open yesterday, but localised flooding persisted in some towns and villages. Concern was growing last night about the effects of continued rain, particularly in the south Tipperary town of Clonmel where there was significant disruption.
Army units were on standby in Clonmel last night to assist council workers in the possible evacuation of some houses if the combined effects of the evening high tide on the Suir and a further downpour caused further flooding in the town.
Five major rivers, the Slaney, Suir, Nore, Barrow and Blackwater, criss-cross the south-east and two of these - the Suir and the Blackwater - gave rise to serious flooding incidents when they overflowed their banks.
The picturesque south Wexford village of Blackwater, a consistent Tidy Towns winner, was mopping up yesterday after the damage caused to a number of local business premises and private houses when the local river burst its banks.
The tiny village experienced its worst flooding for more than 20 years on Monday, according to locals, when water backed up and entered homes and shops.
The Wexford County Secretary, Mr Adrian Doyle, who visited the scene with engineering staff, said that the overflow from the Blackwater had been "going through the village at a rate of knots". The flow and strength of the flood waters was unprecedented, he said.
Water levels dropped yesterday and were expected to continue to subside in the absence of a further deluge.
Elsewhere in Wexford, considerable damage was caused to facilities at the Irish National Heritage Park in Ferrycarrig, which was under three feet of water. The visitors' centre was flooded and many gravel paths were also damaged. The park was closed pending an evaluation and repair of the damage.
In Wexford town there was flooding in the Redmond's Square area, and the Rosslare-Dublin train service was disrupted when the rail line became submerged.
The Wexford-Gorey road, a secondary route, was flooded and there was minor localised flooding in some low-lying districts, but all national primary roads in the county were passable, Mr Doyle said.
All Wexford Fire Brigade units were called out as the county absorbed some seven inches of rain since Saturday, and a number of key county council engineering staff interrupted their holidays to return to duty and deal with the floodwater.
In Waterford, the city escaped serious disruption in spite of four inches of rainfall in two days, about 10 per cent of the average annual rainfall.
However, localised flooding on the Tramore Road at the Marshes necessitated traffic diversions yesterday. Water was still being pumped out of scores of flooded gardens on the Ballytruckle Road in the city yesterday, but the problem was said to be abating.
South Tipperary appeared to be the worst-hit part of the region, as the swollen Suir river overflowed. Yesterday afternoon the acting county engineer, Mr Michael O'Malley, said the river was still rising at Clonmel and levels were not expected to peak until later in the evening.
Although sandbag barriers were constructed in affected parts of the town, some premises were threatened and evacuation might become necessary if the further 2530 mm of rain which was forecast arrived, Mr O'Malley said.
The N24 route remained passable, but council officials said they were attempting to discourage traffic to the town from Dungarvan. The Old Bridge and the Convent Bridge were blocked, and in the rural hinterland, Knocklofty Bridge and Kilsheelan Bridge were also affected.
The chairman of Clonmel Chamber of Commerce, Mr Des Delahunty, said that a request would be made to Government for financial assistance for householders and businesses affected by flooding.
Since the last serious flooding incidents in January last year, householders could not get insurance cover for flood damage, he pointed out.
Heavy freight vehicles on routes into the town aggravated the effects of the floodwaters, causing waves to wash against showroom windows and doors. Emergency services remained on the alert last night, with high tide due at about 8.30 p.m.
Office of Public Works field staff and a consulting engineer visited Clonmel to monitor the flooding in the town, according to the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Mr Martin Cullen. He was awaiting reports from these visits, he indicated in a statement.