It may have taken an unbelievable half a century, but works on the provision of piped water to the east Galway village of Kilrickle have finally commenced – and as the man who fought for so long for this day said: “It is now time to look forward . . . and not back”.

Local publican and community activist Dessie O’Brien has been to the forefront of the campaign to have drinking water flowing from the tap – instead of a lifetime of outside water tanks and buckets for their only source.

And finally his efforts have met with success; works have now commenced on the Kilrickle/Kilcooley Water Scheme which is taking a connection from the neighbouring Cappataggle Group Water Scheme.

What was so frustrating for the committee over the years was the fact that the Cappataggle Scheme comes to within a mile and a half of the village.

The new group water scheme for Kilrickle and neighbouring Kilcooley will provide a supply to some 264 houses, two primary schools as well as local businesses and farms in the area.

There have been many disappointments along the way regarding the provision of a water supply for Kilrickle and Kilcooley but perseverance by the likes of Dessie O’Brien, Donal Wynne and JJ Manton of the local committee has finally paid dividends.

The days of having to rely on outside tanks and buckets for their water requirements is set to come to an end and, as Dessie O’Brien explained, it would not have happened but for the cooperation and goodwill of the Cappataggle Group Water Scheme.

Galway East TD Sean Canney confirmed that a contractor has commenced installing the pipe network to deliver potable water to the two villages. It means that some 264 homes in both villages will be connected to a supply for the very first time – a luxury nearly every other village in the county and across the country take for granted.

“After years of disappointment and false dawns, the provision of piped water is now reality and it is a credit to Cappataggle Group Water Scheme for providing access to a water source,” he said.

“This has been a long journey and I acknowledge the commitment of Galway County Council to the project. But it is mainly the determination of the local committee that has won the day,” said Deputy Canney.

The contractors on site are TK Earthworks and Plant Hire Ltd who commenced the €3.5 million project late last week and it is expected to be completed within the next nine months – just in time for Christmas.

At the recent signing of the contract in the village Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr Moegie Maher heaped praise on the local committee for never giving up the fight despite being “knocked back” on several occasions.