The Great Irish Famine An Epic of Death and Emigration -BY AWAKE! WRITER IN IRELAND

First Crop Failure

The potato crop occasionally failed before. Short-term relief measures coped with  this, and when the next year's crop was good hardship had been minimal. Thus, when the potato crop failed in 1845, the authorities saw  little reason for concern.

But this time things were much more serious.  We now know that  the fungal disease, phytophthora infestans-otherwise known as blight-caused the 1845's crop failure.  This airborne fungus spread rapidly from one field of potatoes to another.  The infected potatoes literally rotted in the ground, and those in storage were said to be "melting away."  Since only one variety  of potato had been sown, the entire national crop was affected. And since the seed for the following year came from that year's harvest, this fungus has a devastating effect on the entire crops as well. 

Second Crop Failure

The poor-quality seed potatoes that could be rescued were sown the next year, 1846, but blight also destroyed this second crop. As there was nothing left worth harvesting, many farm workers lost their jobs . Farm owners simply could not afford to pay them.

The government set up various relief works , hiring many of these  poor folk-mainly for road building-so that they could provide for their families.

Some could only get work in workhouses. These institutions employed  destitute people. In return for the their labor, workers received  food and lodging. the work was harsh. Often, the food was rotten, and the accommodations were very primitive. Some workers did not survive. 

These measures did provide some relief. But there was worse to come.  The winter of 1846-47 was extremely cold, and it curtailed most of the outside work. Various government agencies  distributed free food. After two years, however, government funds for this relief began to run out, and all the aid provided was hopelessly inadequate for the ever-increasing food of physically weakened people.  Then another devastating blow hit Ireland.

Absentee landlords-many facing large debts themselves -continued to demand their rents. Many of the tenants were unable to pay, and as a result, thousands were evicted from their land. Some tenants simply left the land went to the cities hoping  for a better life.  But with no food, no money, and no housing, where would they go?  For growing numbers, emigration became the only option.

Next time: The Great Irish Famine An Epic of Death and Emigration-BY AWAKE! WRITER IN IRELAND - Emigration En Masse 

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