The Blight Bites

Effects of the Famine

The potato blight lasted from 1845 until 1850.  By the end millions of Irish had either died or emigrated.  Communities were decimated.  Entire towns stood vacant due to eviction, death, or emigration. “It is estimated that as many as 1 million died during the famine, another 2 million emigrated.  All in all, during the famine Ireland lost between a quarter and a third of her population, due to starving, disease and emigration” (Prior, 16).

The relationship between Ireland and England was left in turmoil.  Irish resentment toward the British was inflamed by British control of Ireland and their lack of support during the famine.  The unrest which grew during the famine led to rebellion, and fueled a conflict between the two countries that continued long after the famine had ended.

After the blight ended, hunger continued to be a problem.  Potato production in Ireland continued to decrease from pre-famine levels for many years.

(Kissane,  173)

“The Great Irish Famine changed Ireland forever.  It swept away whole families and villages.  It nearly wiped out the Irish language and centuries-old traditions and folk beliefs.  Some even say it killed the fairies ..‘Yes, English tyranny killed out the good people as well as the living people’, said Diarmuid O’Donovan Rossa” (Bartoletti, 168).

“One effect of the famine was the bitterness and resentment it left behind. [Some] never forgave the British government for its treatment of the Irish people.  [They] passed these bitter feelings along to their children and grandchildren”
(Bartoletti, 171).

The Great Famine...An Gorta Mor (The Great Hunger)...The Great Starvation...God's Visitation... The Great Calamity... Irish Holocaust