The Great Frost Begins in Ireland
On December 29, 1739, a severe easterly storm ushered in what became known as the 'Great Frost' in Ireland. This meteorological event, characterized by seven weeks of sub-zero temperatures, had devastating consequences. Major rivers like the Liffey, Shannon, and Boyne froze solid, and the entire potato crop was wiped out. The extreme cold and lack of fodder led to widespread livestock deaths. This period was a prelude to the severe famine of 1740-1741, which, in relative terms, was more devastating than the Great Famine of the 1840s, causing the deaths of an estimated 310,000 to 480,000 people out of a population of 2.5 million.
Read the full story →