PHOTOS: How the 'Beast from the East' affected us this time last year

It's currently a very pleasant and sunny Wednesday afternoon in Athlone, but the conditions were rather different one year ago, when the snowstorm known as 'The Beast from the East' reached Ireland. 

Rural areas of Westmeath and Roscommon were particularly affected by the dramatic weather event, which closed schools and caused the cancellation of numerous sporting, social and community events. 

Here we look back at some snowy scenes from the Midlands a year ago this week.

The front page of the Westmeath Independent this time last year.

A scene outside our offices on Sean Costello Street on February 28, 2018. 

Over 300 Army personnel from Custume Barracks provided assistance during the storm. 

Caroline Munier Walker's photo of the scene on the Retreat Road in Athlone. 

Ian Lacey's stunning shot of Mount Temple cloaked in snow. 

This is how Kilteevan in county Roscommon was looking. 

The scene in Brittas, Glasson, courtesy of Niamh Macken.

Tormey Villas in Athlone as captured by Emily Clarke. 

Ciaran Harte sent us this image of a wintry Greenway in Athlone.