Cold Snap & Heavy Snow, Ireland 1985
Travel and rugby international hit by low temperatures heavy snow, frost and ice across most of Ireland.
Four to five inches of snow fell overnight. By the early afternoon, the snow had turned to slush and many of the roads around Dublin were clear. Many smaller roads and housing estates in the suburbs still had considerable snow into the evening despite the thaw.
There were dangerous patches on the main roads in and out of Dublin. Council workers kept the Dublin to Wexford road clear using snow ploughs and gritters. Freezing conditions are expected this evening and Gardaí are warning drivers to stay safe on the roads.
The overnight snow which stretched from Wexford in the southeast to Donegal in the northwest caused considerable havoc for early morning travellers.
Commuters had to wait long periods for trains and the Dart services experienced delays and overcrowding.
There was over four inches of snow at Dublin Airport. The main runway remained closed until after three o’clock this afternoon resulting in the cancellation of 17 flights.
Conditions were so bad earlier that as soon as one end of the runway was cleared, the other end was blocked up again.
Conditions have improved and tonight most planes are arriving and departing on time.
The weather in the south and west of Ireland was completely different with frost but no snow. In Tralee, it was a bright, clear day. Limerick city was also free of snow this morning but a heavy frost is expected in the southeast overnight.
The bad weather on the east coast has meant the Ireland England rugby international at Lansdowne Road has been postponed. The news of the cancellation was disappointing for the England fans who had already travelled to Dublin.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 18 January 1985. The reporter is Charlie Bird.
Credit to : CR’s Video Vaults