The Beast From The East.
The weather event that sent shrouds of snow descending upon Ireland making roads un-drivable, electricity un-usable, and pubs un-leavable as the entire country decided that they wanted to spend their glorious snow days off stuck in lock ins until 4am.
The snow was deep, the ice was slippery, and the Lidl was bulldozed – it was an unprecedented turn of events that very few people had seen coming, but one that would always be remembered.
A few weeks later, after the Beast had passed, we were back to normal. And one year on, it’s almost hard to believe that a mere 365 days ago, Ireland was entirely covered in a blanket of snow.
2019 has had one of the hottest Februarys in a long time, but that doesn’t mean that we should forget the times that we lost all power, ran out of bread for the *second time*, and couldn’t drive safely for about three days.
Genuinely the only #ThrowbackThursday photo I have for you today is from this day last year.
When the #BeastFromTheEast came and ate all our bread… pic.twitter.com/fQs71U2tJZ
— Rick O'Shea (@rickoshea) February 28, 2019
The Beast From The East started on February 28 and lasted until March 3, with some places in Ireland experiencing snowfall as deep as 26cm.
Red alerts were issued and extended as the country was urged to stay indoors unless it was totally necessary to leave.
Universities closed, flights were cancelled, and public transport was literally non existent as the entire country shut down for a solid four days.
Throwback to this day last year when the country was bracing itself for the #BeastFromTheEast ❄️ #TBThursday pic.twitter.com/fobFKVd0Dk
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) February 28, 2019
#ThrowbackThursday to this day last year when the #BeastFromTheEast covered our campus in snow ❄️⛄️ pic.twitter.com/ZP6BGXKgwA
— DCU Business School (@BusinessDCU) February 28, 2019
This day last year the #BeastFromTheEast hit Ireland! #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #StormEmma ? @karolinabadz pic.twitter.com/iIaCAmZVDk
— Dublin Bus (@dublinbusnews) February 28, 2019
We’ve come a long way, lads.
On March 4, the worst was over – work resumed, shops reopened, and Lidl started to rebuild.
We had survived yet another total national shutdown over a bit of a snow that we’re entirely not used to and will never be able to cope with.
Massive congrats to all involved.