The Irish Famine
It constituted a major historical social crisis and had a significant impact on Irish society and history. The most severely affected areas were in western and southern Ireland—where the Irish language was dominant—hence, in Irish, the period was contemporaneously known as an Drochshaol, which translates to 'the bad life' and loosely translates to 'the hard times'. Debate exists regarding nomenclature for the event, including whether to use the terms 'Famine', 'Potato Famine' or 'Great Hunger'.
- population_before
- approximately 8.5 million
- population_after_1901
- 4.4 million
- estimated_deaths
- roughly one million
- estimated_emigrants_1845_1855
- at least 2.1 million
- primary_cause
- infection of potato crops by blight
Lore & Background
The proximate cause of the famine was the infection of potato crops by blight throughout Europe. Longer-term reasons for the scale of the famine's impact included the system of absentee landlordism and single-crop dependence. Initial government actions to alleviate famine distress, which were constructive but limited, were ended by a new Whig administration in London that pursued a laissez-faire economic doctrine. Some members of the British government believed that the famine was divine judgement or that the Irish lacked moral character. Large quantities of food were exported from Ireland during the famine, and the refusal of London to bar such exports was an immediate and continuing source of controversy.
Reader's Guide
The famine is considered a defining moment in the history of Ireland. Its effects permanently changed the island's demographic, political, and cultural landscape, producing an estimated 2 million refugees and spurring a century-long population decline. The controversy over food exports contributed to the exacerbation of the Irish issue in British politics, the intensification of anti-British sentiment, the intensification of Irish nationalism and the campaign for independence. The famine indirectly resulted in the eviction of tens of thousands of households, a situation exacerbated by a provision that forbade access to workhouse aid for those possessing more than one-quarter acre of land.
Did You Know?
- Some members of the British government believed the famine was divine judgement or that the Irish lacked moral character.
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