Laois schools to close as snow covers county

SCHOOLS across Laois will remain closed tomorrow and probably subsequent days as a blanket of snow covers the county.

All primary and secondary schools in Portlaoise will stay closed on Monday, together with most other schools throughout the county.

Schools in Mountrath, Mountmellick, Portarlington, Castletown, Ballinakill, Abbeyleix, Stradbally and many other areas have also announced that they will remain closed, on what was to be the first day back after the Christmas break.

Portlaoise CBS said: ‘A decision about Tuesday will be made tomorrow evening, based on the local forecast. But if there is no thaw and the snow which is still falling turns to ice, we will possibly remain closed.’ 

Students are likely to have an extended holiday for most of the week, with bitter sub-zero temperatures forecast for Wednesday in particular. Individual schools will keep parents updated on their WhatsApp groups and social media pages.

The road between Stradbally and Portlaoise and many other routes across the county were impassable on Sunday afternoon, with council road crews working to clear main routes.

In an update at 2pm on Sunday, Laois County Council said: ‘Following a meeting of Laois Severe Weather Assessment Team today, please be advised that sub-zero and very low temperatures are likely over the coming days.

‘Met Éireann have extended the current Orange Weather Warning for Snow/Ice for Laois from 5pm today Sunday 05.01.2025 to 8pm today Sunday 05.01.2025.

‘Dangerous, and, sometimes, treacherous road conditions are likely and care should be taken on both treated and untreated roads.’ 

While advising people to avoid unnecessary journeys, the council said: ‘Where travel is required, please plan/revise your journey to prioritise use of treated roads over and above untreated roads.'

Maps of treated routes are available on Laois County Council’s website at Laois.ie.