More accumulations of snow forecast for east on Sunday night, anyone else concerned about not being able to get to Naas on Monday morning?

I dread to imagine what the drive will be like.

I know! I’ve been thinking about this for the past couple of days but I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. Was going to head down on Sunday evening to set up but have decided that I’ll go early on Monday instead. My husband said he’ll drive me so I feel a little more secure about that…
Sure we’ll all be cosy and warm in the Osprey with Bill & Sean

It’s getting there that is the worry. Took my sister 5 hrs last night to get from Santry to Lusk.

Apparently we can only set up on Monday morning from 8am. as the stands will be built the night before…am I correct on this?

Anyone with stands just wondering what your plans are? Apart from praying for a miracle thaw..

I was thinking about getting there today as well - it will take ages if the weather gets worse - I’ve decided to stay in the osprey that night! Oh god thats not very much time to set up a stall - 30mins realistically!?

I live in Newbridge so it’s not so much of an issue for me only 5 miles away.  If the schools are back then traffic will be mental heading towards Dublin/Naas from here, but the traffic from Rathcoole to Naas should be pretty clear and a straight run.  It’s just getting that far that’s the issue, mind you since it’s a very busy road all the time it should be fairly ok for driving if it’s done carefully.

We are only building with ECS on Sunday ourselves. Exhibitors will be allowed to set up from 8am Monday morning only as we will be there building late on Sunday night. The Osprey would not allow us to start building till Sunday evening. No access will be given to stand holders till 8am on Monday, no point coming on Sunday there will be nothing for you guys to set up. The N81 is clear (Blessington) and so is the Naas Road, I would advise coming in the exit where B&Q is and NOT travelling through Naas town centre to get to the venue. I hope this helps, I hope you all have a successful day, well done for putting yourselves and your business forward. Please DO allow yourselves, plenty of time for the journey.

We will post a weather watch on Sunday night, I live in Ballmore Eustace and the traffic in Naas is pretty bad (centre) so aviod it at all costs and stick to the Blessington road and naas ring road OR the B&Q exix off the Naas Road, it just means a really early start for everyone to allow yourself plenty of time to make the journey.

Also it’s come to our attention that stand holders are bringing other people to help on the day with their stand, the stand only admits ONE person i.e the stand holder. In the case of FX2 both Fiona’s have been to the seminars and Mairead you made us aware in advance of your business partner which we allocated lunch. The hotel needs final figures for lunch today and if you are intending to bring someone onto your stand you should have informed us. Also they need to be a business partner OR in the case of FX2 members of the forum. These are the only people admitted to the event and they have to be on the registration list like everyone else. This event is registration only, if your name is not on the list no access will be granted.

I have just emailed you re our MD who is attending.

I’m getting seriously worried now. My husband, who is driving me on Monday morning, said there’s no way he’s going if the weather is like this or God forbid even worse. He’s not so worried about the Naas Rd. Its getting to it that’s the problem…

Hear hear Fiona, I have to come from Dublin 9, we have had no buses in our area the last few days as roads in the area which take very heavy traffic have not been gritted. Nightmare.

Aren’t any of the neighbours gathering to clear the snow?.  I’ve no shovel (really!!) but I’ve been usting the back cardboard sheet from an old press to move the snow and ice onto the grass.  I find it disturbing that people are waiting for “others” to clear the snow away “for them” rather than do it themselves!  And yes..it just keeps coming…but then just keep clearing it!

I saw someone’s children running on the ice with their football boots as the studs broke up the ice - clever idea, (so do stilittos shoes btw) and then it was shovelled over to the side out of the way.

The Luas and trains are still running.  If anyone gets on a Luas (red line) to Hueston they can get the Arrow to Sallins, I can pick up 3 or 4 (tight squeeze) of you and bring you to the Osprey.

Despite it being a 9am start I have a feeling it will start a little later, and even if it starts on time I doubt if anyone will seriously mind if you arrive a little late.

Mairéad

Ladies I’m so disappointed but I’m not going to be able to make it. It’s just becoming too problematic as Alan my husband would have to drop me down with all the gear for my stand and then by the time he got home he’d have to turn around and come back to get me (as I know traffic will be particularly bad with the weather) thus not being able to work himself for the whole day. I also have childminder problems as the schools are off

Catherine from Chia Ireland who I was to share the stand with won’t be going either so basically that means that stand 4 is now free. I know it’s late notice but if anyone would like to use it to showcase their business please do! I’d hate to see it go to waste and it certainly won’t look good to have an empty space.

I know Michelle and Tara have been great by posting traffic/road info etc. but sorry girls, as much as I’m desperate to be there, sometimes things have to be sacrificed and unfortunately this is one of them. I hope all the ladies that make it have a wonderful day tomorrow and I’ll be looking forward to hearing all about it.

Fiona

Ladies,

I really believe the weather reports are actually worse that the weather actually is.  My car was parked outside my house from Tuesday to yesterday, I walked to local store and braved the footpaths, which were actually worse than the roads.  Carrying bags of groceries on shanks mare was not fun! Two of my kids were stuck in Birr until yesterday, my Husband refused to drive so I had to do it myself! The main roads were fine, once I got out of Killiney and onto M50 it was no bother.

My fear of driving in the snow are gone.  I was all worked up from listening to the news etc.  Sometimes it is better to live in a cocoon and just get on with it.

I am really looking forward to tomorrow and I will be delighted once I get to M50.

Olivia

Fiona, I’d have a serious re-think about missing tomorrow, it’s raining in Newbridge and parts of Dublin and that is melting the snow, so the roads are and will be drivable tomorrow.  It won’t be difficult to get to the Osprey and back at all, with the kids off school the traffic will be much lighter than usual.

Mairéad

Yeap, we are all here, Noelle, Michelle, Emer the ballroom is set up, it looks fabulous and the roads really are not that bad, we have been back & fourth all weekend and Michelle does not live that far away from you Fiona. Bill & Jackie dropped by this evening to see how we were getting on, they were both very impressed with what they saw, so much so Jackie has invited herself tomorrow and is joining us for the whole day.

I really think you will regret not coming Fiona, the vibe up here is amazing, delegates have arrived, booked into the hotel and are really impressed with the event and have nothing but praise for what we’ve done here. Something tells me we will all walk away from here tomorrow night proud to be part of such an event which was a huge achievement.   Never say never Fiona, even if you come at lunch time, don’t miss the opportunity.

Mairead, I have to agree with everything you said, we had to dig out our own driveway and road, the council did not do it for us, we as a community pitched in so we could all have access. It’s a bit of snow think of the poor people who lost their homes prior to Christmas in the floods. We can clear away the snow, they could not stop the water ragging through their property. Get out the shovels & spades and start digging until you reach a road that you can drive on, they are all clear by now.