History talk on mini ice age
THERE are few who will forget the snow of 2011, the ice of 2009 or even the big snowfall in the 1980s.
Perhaps fewer still will remember the six-week long freeze of 1947.
However these events were mild in comparison to the last day of December 1739, when Ireland awoke to find itself in the grip of a mini Ice Age.
A river froze, a mill seized up and houses could not be heated.
With the eventual thaw came drought and famine, which claimed thousands of lives.
The story of these freezing conditions will be recalled at the 8 p.m. Wednesday February 1 meeting of the Rathmnichael Historical Society in Rathmichael School, Stonebridge Road, Shankill, by author and historian David Dickson who will will present his lecture recalling 'Ireland's Mini Ice Age: 1740 - 1741.'
