WORK STOPS IN IRELAND TO WATCH ECLIPSE | ';
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Thursday, August ';
ReadingText+='12th 1999 Thousands of Irish eclipse-watchers joined sky-gazers around the world yesterda'; ReadingText+='y in viewing the last great solar spectacular of the millennium. The world didn\'t come to'; ReadingText+=' an end but work stopped temporarily, as people flooded out of homes and offices to witness the moon'; ReadingText+=' eclipse the sun. Temperatures dropped by up to 2° Celsius in Ireland and the sky noticeably da'; ReadingText+='rkened. Shortly after 11 am, as the eclipse reached its limit , cars stopped, telephones '; ReadingText+='were left unanswered and people looked to the heavens. In five minutes, electricity demand fell by 3'; ReadingText+='.5 per cent. Despite all the warnings, people did look directly at the sun, using devices'; ReadingText+=' ranging from eclipse sunglasses to the back of their hands. Dublin\'s Eye and Ear Hospita'; ReadingText+='l received up to 40 phone calls last night from people fearful that damage may have been caused to t'; ReadingText+='heir eyes. At least five people were examined, two of whom are to return today for further tests. However, no major injuries have been identified, said Professor Louis Collum, adding that a'; ReadingText+='nyone with any visual symptoms should contact their GP or eye doctor. A total eclipse occ'; ReadingText+='urs somewhere in the world about every 18 months. The next total eclipse to pass over Ireland will b'; ReadingText+='e in 2090, and over Dublin in 2600. |