How 'The Troubles' demolished Irish Grand Slam hopes in 1972

Fifty years ago Scotland and Wales refused to come to Dublin to play Ireland in the Five Nations Championship citing concerns over player safety in the city.

The international Rugby Grand Slam title which got away from Ireland in 1972. Picture: Ray McManus

If the tragedy that was Bloody Sunday prompted a mass mobilisation of people around Ireland 50 years ago this last week, then the day itself was one of stillness across a large sweep of the island as a storm front deposited a thick blanket of snow and treacherous ice.

Reports detailed dozens of motorists marooned in Wicklow’s Sally Gap and Glen of the Downs, an Irish Lights tender battled the elements to bring relief already overdue to the Tuskar Rock Lighthouse, and Dublin Airport surrendered its runway to the elements in the early afternoon.