‘There’s going to be a big bill after this’ – Sinkhole discovered in Portlaw

A sinkhole has been reported on Mount Bolton Road in Portlaw, Co Waterford. The hole was discovered on the night of Thursday, January 29, 2026, while the county was under a Yellow Rain warning.

Local Councillor Declan Clune said that Waterford Council outdoor team received a report about the Mount Bolton road and went to inspect the area. After confirming the sinkhole, the road was closed off and will remain closed ‘for the foreseeable future’.

Cllr Clune said that it could be ‘early next week’ before the civil engineering team can make an assessment on the sinkhole. He stated that: “There was so much rain and there’s no where for it to go in Portlaw. There’s going to be a big bill after this. The fields cannot absorb anymore water, they’re saturated with excess rainfall.” With Waterford under another yellow rain warning, there are legitimate concerns that the sinkhole could expand as soil erodes.

The Independent Councillor warned that it is the responsibility of landowners to dispose of excessive water.