“The sheep inside are actually worse than the ones outside,” says Ronan Delany.
“We have ewes with lambs in individual pens that would normally go outside after 12 to 24 hours. They’re inside now for four or five days and they are really unsettled. Two or three ewes lay on their lambs during the night.”
Snow has drifted against hedges and blown into sheds on Ronan Delany's farm at Gaulstown, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. \ Ronan Delany
“They’re not eating properly and not drinking much; neither are the cattle. They’re only picking at feed, they’re just not happy.”
“The snow blew in everywhere, the straw is wet and everything is just unsettled. The few sheep outside are OK. They’re clever enough, they got their shelter.
Snow has drifted against hedges and blown into sheds on Ronan Delany's farm at Gaulstown, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. \ Ronan Delany
Snow has drifted against hedges and blown into sheds on Ronan Delany's farm at Gaulstown, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. \ Ronan Delany“There’s one bunch at the back of the yard that are all huddled in a together. The snow has drifted around the hay feeder. It’s about six feet deep there but much less in the middle of the field.
Awake
“I was awake half the night listening to [the animals in the yard] but it’s not as bad as I feared.
“We didn’t get any extra snow overnight, but what happened was the wind carried it and it drifted against the hedges, the back of the yard, a trailer. That’s where it’s deepest.”
Around 7in of snow covered the farm on Thursday, with drifting of that snow happening overnight.
Safe to check
Delany is assessing road conditions around home at Gaulstown, Dunshaughlin, before deciding if it is safe to check on animals on an out-farm on the far side of Dunshaughlin.
“I’m worried about animals but you could kill yourself trying to save them. It’s been 36 years since we had snow like this and I hope it will be another 36 years before we get it again.
“If animals are going to die, we will have to suffer the loss this time as long as no-one is killed.”
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“The sheep inside are actually worse than the ones outside,” says Ronan Delany.
“We have ewes with lambs in individual pens that would normally go outside after 12 to 24 hours. They’re inside now for four or five days and they are really unsettled. Two or three ewes lay on their lambs during the night.”
Snow has drifted against hedges and blown into sheds on Ronan Delany's farm at Gaulstown, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. \ Ronan Delany“They’re not eating properly and not drinking much; neither are the cattle. They’re only picking at feed, they’re just not happy.”
“The snow blew in everywhere, the straw is wet and everything is just unsettled. The few sheep outside are OK. They’re clever enough, they got their shelter.
Snow has drifted against hedges and blown into sheds on Ronan Delany's farm at Gaulstown, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. \ Ronan Delany
Snow has drifted against hedges and blown into sheds on Ronan Delany's farm at Gaulstown, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath. \ Ronan Delany“There’s one bunch at the back of the yard that are all huddled in a together. The snow has drifted around the hay feeder. It’s about six feet deep there but much less in the middle of the field.
Awake
“I was awake half the night listening to [the animals in the yard] but it’s not as bad as I feared.
“We didn’t get any extra snow overnight, but what happened was the wind carried it and it drifted against the hedges, the back of the yard, a trailer. That’s where it’s deepest.”
Around 7in of snow covered the farm on Thursday, with drifting of that snow happening overnight.
Safe to check
Delany is assessing road conditions around home at Gaulstown, Dunshaughlin, before deciding if it is safe to check on animals on an out-farm on the far side of Dunshaughlin.
“I’m worried about animals but you could kill yourself trying to save them. It’s been 36 years since we had snow like this and I hope it will be another 36 years before we get it again.
“If animals are going to die, we will have to suffer the loss this time as long as no-one is killed.”
Read more
Weekend weather: Storm Emma rages on
Power outages affecting 24,000 homes and businesses
What to look out for if the power goes and you need to use a generator
In pictures: contractors keeping rural Ireland on the move
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