President Mary McAleese today visited Carrick-on-Shannon to see the effects of recent flooding and said she would visit other parts of the country over the next few weeks.
In a speech, the President said she was saddened "to see so many people face into Christmas with their homes, farms and businesses damaged or even destroyed by water".
"It has been a time of real trial but in the many conversations I have had throughout the period with victims, volunteers and representatives of state agencies dealing with the problems, it has been evident that the effort being made to cope has been nothing short of heroic."
Thanking those who had worked in wake of the "unprecedented crisis" in the area, Mrs McAleese said: "In the coming weeks I will be visiting other affected areas to do the same thing - at a time when such a visit will not disrupt the ongoing efforts.
"It has been an exhausting and upsetting time for so many and their trials are far from over I know, but in this moment of some small respite I want to offer my support for and recognition of the personal devastation experienced."
Mr McAleese praised the spirit shown by communities hit by the floods. "Through all the misery there has been the light of hope that has come from the response of the communities. The spirit of meitheal has been needed and it came out rapidly and spontaneously and generously.
"And I want to thank all those who could have stayed on the dry ground, but instead they recognised that neighbours and friends were in trouble and sprung into action in so many different ways."
She said the "great and proven resilience" in the Irish and would ensure this trial would pass.