SNOW TIME!

Róisín Donelon sledding at the upper dam at the Vartry reservoir on Friday.

SNOWY WEATHER FORCES ROAD AND SCHOOL CLOSURES

THE first snow of 2019 had a significant impact on Co. Wicklow as many schools were shut, bus services reduced and roads were closed.

Following heavy snowfall in certain areas on Thursday night, Wicklow County Council warned that roads in the Sally Gap, the Ballinastoe Junction, Glencree, Wicklow Gap, Laragh to Roundwood to Bray road, the Roundwood to Rathdrum road and the Ashford to Laragh Road were to remain closed for the day.

Many schools also took the decision to close, including Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew, Avondale Community College, All Saints NS, Carnew, and primary schools in Moneystown, Round- wood, Aughrim, Annacurra, Rathdrum and Glendalough, while Bus Éireann school transport services also did not run.

Ballintemple NS, Ballycoog, opened at 11 a.m. but decided to postpone its Grandparents Day event to next week in the interest of public safety.

Emergency services appealed to members of the public not to travel to the snow covered areas as ‘snow tourists’ and a number of rescues took place in areas such as the Sally Gap when cars got stuck.

Very poor conditions were reported in certain areas of West Wicklow and some planned events did not go ahead in other areas including the Lough Dan extreme swim and the children’s art workshop in the Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely.

Brian Walsh sledding at the upper dan at the Vartry reservoir.

Snow on the new walk at the upper Vartry reservoir in Roundwood.

Matthew and Gearóid Mullen enjoying the conditions in Roundwood.

Louisa Higgins and Sheila Donelon enjoying the wintery conditions in Roundwood.

Bláithín Donelon and Eoibhin Higgins enjoying the snow at the Vartry reservoir in Roundwood.

Óisín Donelon sledding at the upper dam at the reservoir.

Daffodils in the snow in Rathdrum.