Ireland gets snowed in! Photos:

Snowy Ireland, the river Barrow

    (Dec 5, 2010) Ireland has been under snow for over a week.

This is quite unusual, especially this early! We just are not used to it- not all of us are

aware of how to be safe driving or walking in these conditions.

(video below from RTE & Irish Weather Online)

On a nicer note, after this was broadcast, the man was then offered free insurance for a year from an insurance company :)

                                           

Here in the village, I think most folk avoided harm, tho' one girl did break her collarbone sledding. Seeing as many of the teens were 'sledding' down a steep sheep field hill in canoes, and over a fairly high improvised ramp, I guess that breakage could have been worse!! 

Here are the sledders & the sheep- see how long & steep it is; they all look so tiny!

We were a bit more sedate, & mainly went walking. Here are some of our photos

A snowy walk in Ireland

The romantic lock-keeper's cottage on the river, with the ruined castle behind it.

frozen Winter Cherry blossom

On the 1st Sunday of the snow, some things were not yet completely buried- but that was to come! Here in Graignamanagh we got another 30cm/1foot of snow!

snowy sunrise over the Blackstairs mountains.  

The sunrises over the Blackstairs mountains were often spectacular!

the horse paddock made magic with the snowy trees

chase in the snow

the river Barrow in snow 

It was a magical winter wonderland, and gave everyone in our little family a new zest for life after all the heavy news of the IMF bailout & general political/economic mess.

I hope if there is snow where YOU are, you are enjoying it, & can have a nice nap by a warm fire after a snowy walk!