'On the last day of 1739, Ireland awoke to find itself in the grip of what was in effect a mini Ice Age. Rivers froze, mills seized up and houses could not be heated above frezingh point. It was as if nature had gone a little crazy. Many were enchanted by the novelty of it all.Carnivals, dances andsheep-roastings were held on the ice. But the euphoria proved fleeting. In its wake came an almost biblical ordeal by drought, flood, fire, famine and plague, that has few parallels in the recorded history of this island.' The above from the cover of a book 'Arctic Ireland' written by David Dickson a senior lecturer of Modern history in Trinity College, Dublin. ISBN1 870132 85 8 Published by The White Row press Ltd., 135 Cumberland Rd., Dundonald, Belfast BT16 OBB First published 1997