Heavy snowfall and wintry conditions in Mallow and environs this week have placed a major strain on public and local services, but the hardships of recent days have also brought about a wonderful community spirit as people have come out of their homes to help neighbours in need, visit elderly members in the community, and help to clear roads so that others could move around more easily.
This is the Ireland that has been celebrated for so many years in poetry and verse, and it was heartening to see this in recent days, people working together, for each other, comple-menting the work of the local councils, community organisations, An Garda Síochána, Civil Defence, Fire Service, Red Cross, Mallow Search and Rescue, ESB, Uisce Éireann, Gardaí, and so many other organisations.
When reports came in of heavy snow in North Cork last Saturday, residents of Mallow were on the lookout for the same to happen locally, but the day came and went with nothing but rain. Sunday, however, was a different story, with light flurries in the early morning, followed by several hours of blizzard-like conditions in the afternoon, resulting in chaos as people tried to negotiate the town and get back to their homes. Areas on higher ground, such as St Joseph’s Road, Kennel Hill, the hill up to the Primary Healthcare Centre, Nazareth Hill and many other high areas proved very difficult to negotiate. In some cases, such as outside Castlepark Housing Estate, civic-minded people were helping drivers to get up the hill at the entrance. Council staff worked all hours during the week around the town and further afield to clear snow and ice from roads, but, as is often the case, main roads were clear but side roads were a struggle as the council attempted to get around. Roads in many housing estates were also in poor condition, though here again the council did its best to make these passable for motorists.
Many tributes were paid to organisations like the Civil Defence, Red Cross, Mallow Search and Rescue and other volunteers who helped people get to work, and did other neighbourly things like bringing supplies to homes which were cut off. It is at times like these that community spirit flourishes, and well done to everyone who lent a hand in recent days. Well done also to the volunteers with the ‘Acts of Kindness’ page on Facebook who helped so many people in recent days, all in a voluntary capacity. So much good was done in cases like these, and it deserves to be acknowledged.
Many shops did not open on Monday morning, mainly because staff were unable to travel in the conditions, but local supermarkets opened so that people could get provisions, while the Post Office opened for a few hours too, and staff at Mallow General Hospital and other care facilities went above and beyond to get to work and cover for those were unable to get out of their areas.
Of course, every cloud has a silver lining, and the heavy snowfall was welcomed with open arms by young people who not alone had a reprieve from school, but were also able to get out and make snowmen and enjoy other snow-based activities. Their happy cries were a joy to hear in the town in recent days.
With a thaw predicted to set in from this Friday evening, conditions will return to normal over the weekend, and hopefully the ice and snow experienced over the past week will be the last for this Winter.