Looking back at the 'big freeze' in the Midlands on this week in 1982
'Effects of the big midland freeze-up' was the banner headline across the front page of the Westmeath Offaly Independent this week in 1982, as the paper carried reports of snowdrifts in the region that were "reported to be as deep as 14 feet in places".
One of the most significant spells of Arctic weather in recent Irish history occurred 42 years ago, as parts of the country were brought to a standstill by heavy snow and freezing temperatures.
The edition of the Westmeath Offaly Independent dated Friday, January 15, 1982, featured extensive coverage of the weather conditions and their impact.
"Life in the Midlands struggled slowly back to normal this week following a weekend of Arctic weather conditions which produced record-breaking snowfalls and below-zero temperatures," began the paper's lead story.
"Large areas were immobilised by freezing conditions and many isolated villages and farm houses were cut off for a time as roads were blocked by snowdrifts."
The paper reported that the lowest temperature in the country had been recorded in Offaly.
"As Ireland shivered in the grip of the coldest spell to hit the country in 19 years, it emerged that the coldest spot in the 32 counties was Birr, where the temperature dropped to 14 Celsius below freezing on Monday night," wrote Eddie Rogers.
He went on to state that the cold snap "forced the cancellation of virtually all social functions in the area," and that the annual Offaly GAA convention also had to be called off.
In addition, the paper reported that a wedding due to take place in Tullamore had to be postponed at the last minute when the groom from Cork encountered impassible roads on his journey to Offaly. The nuptials were rescheduled for the following week.
In Athlone, long before the establishment of the dedicated air ambulance service at Custume Barracks, road conditions meant an Air Corps helicopter had to be used to air-lift a local woman to hospital in Dublin.
Soldiers in the barracks were put on stand by to assist during the icy spell, but the paper said they were not ultimately called upon.
Photographs of local children playing happily in the snow were carried on the newspaper's pages, but it also touched on some serious and sombre incidents during the 'big freeze' locally.
There was a mention on the front page of a man in his early fifties who was found dead in the snow near his home in Ballymahon, while another man in his seventies lost his life when fire gutted his home in Curraghboy, South Roscommon.