Ireland covered in snow - 1982

  Looking back through the Irish Newspaper Archive and times of extreme cold and snow, the prolonged Big Freeze of 1982

On this week in 1982 newspapers reported that conditions right across the country were terrible and that in many parts villages had been cut off from supplies and relief such as the extent of the snow. Here the Evening Press reports:

MANY villages in Counties Wicklow and Wexford were still cut off this morning, with snow drifts up to 20 feet high reported in parts Of Wicklow. Parts of Cork, Limerick and Galway were clear of snow today, but for most of the country roads were dangerous, with even main roads reduced to single lane traffic because of snow drifts in places. In Wicklow, gardai reported that the villages of Avoca, Tinahely, Shillelagh and Round-wood were still cut off. Drifts up to 20 feet high were facing the county council workers, trying to open up the roads. Most minor roads in the county were blocked, and even the main roads which were open were said to be very dangerous. Newcastle was also isolated, and the local hospital is only accessible on foot. The hospital was without electricity supplies on Friday night, and until 5 p.m. on Saturday, but there were no major problems, a hospital spokesman said. Candles were used for lighting and the heating was not affected. Staff normally live in, and as the hospital has its own farm, there was no food problem. The only change was that they started to make their own bread when the regular supplies were cut off. In Wexford, gardai reported the villages of Drummond, Mullinakill and Tullogher cut off. Many minor roads were completely blocked, although County Council workmen have managed to clear most main roads.

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