Nearly 90 schools in Kildare closed by the weather

A TOTAL of 86 primary and post-primary schools across Kildare were closed on account of the freezing conditions yesterday (6 January).

“It was a bitterly cold start to the day across the county this morning (Monday) with widespread frost, black ice and lying snow in places, making roads and footpaths treacherous,” according to Marto Davidson from Kildare Weather Facebook which was a great resource to many over the weekend.

Gardaí warned that while main routes were good some back roads were poor with a black ice and snow accumulations.

Pedestrians were also warned to be careful of underfoot conditions. It's was slippery on many footpaths out there so please take care.

Kildare County Council operated their winter maintenance programme to ensure main routes stayed open while the council’s severe weather assessment team convened over the weekend.

The council also announced that its flagship new leisure facility in Kerdiffstown Park remained closed for Monday (6 January), due to snowfall over the weekend and the resulting ground conditions within the park, “Due to continuing low temperatures, it is likely that the park will remain closed until later in the week,” said a council spokesperson.

“A further announcement regarding the reopening of the park will be made as the week progresses, once ground conditions within the park improve and are considered safe for the public.”