# Canonical recap data for Great Irish Famine Begins (1845)
# Source: https://recap.at/1845/irish-famine
# Format: YAML 1.2 (UTF-8). Generated at request time.
slug: irish-famine
canonicalUrl: "https://recap.at/1845/irish-famine"
title: Great Irish Famine Begins
aliases:
- The Great Hunger
- An Gorta Mór
- Irish Potato Famine
- The Famine
subtitle: Potato blight triggered mass starvation and emigration, killing over one million and redrawing Ireland's demographic and political map.
recapType: global_event
eventStatus: concluded
startDate: 1845-01-01
datePrecision: year
year: 1845
decade: 1840
country:
name: Ireland
slug: ireland
summaryShort: The Great Famine, also known as the Great Hunger, the Famine and the Irish Potato Famine, was a period of mass starvation and disease in Ireland from 1845 to 1852. It constituted a historical social crisis and had a major impact on Irish society and history as a whole. The most severely affected areas were in the weste
summaryLong: The Great Famine, also known as the Great Hunger, the Famine and the Irish Potato Famine, was a period of mass starvation and disease in Ireland from 1845 to 1852. It constituted a historical social crisis and had a major impact on Irish society and history as a whole. The most severely affected areas were in the western and southern parts of 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, whether to use the term "Famine", "Potato Famine" or "Great Hunger".
lede: Between 1845 and 1852, a potato blight destroyed Ireland's primary food source, killing roughly one million people and forcing another million to emigrate. The disaster exposed the brittle dependency of a colonized population on a single crop, and the British government's failure to mount adequate relief transformed a natural crisis into a man-made catastrophe.
heroImageUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Skibbereen_by_James_Mahony%2C_1847.JPG/1280px-Skibbereen_by_James_Mahony%2C_1847.JPG"
heroImageCredit: Wikipedia · "Great Famine (Ireland)"
importance: 92
sourceConfidence: 75
keyFacts:
- label: Duration
  value: 1845–1852 (seven years)
- label: Estimated deaths
  value: Approximately 1 million
- label: Emigration
  value: Approximately 1–2 million people
- label: Population decline
  value: Ireland's population fell from ~8.2 million to ~6 million
- label: Primary cause
  value: Phytophthora infestans (potato blight)
- label: Worst year
  value: 1847 (Black '47)
- label: Largest destination for emigrants
  value: United States
timeline:
- date: 1845-09-01
  title: Potato blight appears in Ireland
  description: Phytophthora infestans is first reported in County Dublin, spreading rapidly across the island. The fungus destroys approximately one-third of the potato crop that year.
- date: 1846-06-01
  title: Second blight outbreak worsens famine
  description: The blight returns in summer 1846, destroying roughly 75% of the potato crop. Food reserves from the previous year are depleted, and starvation accelerates across rural areas.
- date: 1847-01-01
  title: Black '47 begins
  description: The winter and spring of 1847 bring the highest mortality rates of the entire famine. Disease-particularly typhus and dysentery-spreads through weakened, malnourished populations.
- date: 1847-03-01
  title: Soup kitchens reach peak operation
  description: By March 1847, approximately 3 million people are receiving relief from government-funded soup kitchens, the largest welfare operation of its kind at the time.
- date: 1848-07-01
  title: Young Ireland rebellion fails
  description: The failed rebellion by Young Ireland nationalists reflects mounting anger over government mismanagement of the famine and British governance of Ireland.
- date: 1850-08-01
  title: Tenants Eviction Act passed
  description: British law enables mass evictions of tenant farmers who cannot pay rent, further destabilizing rural communities already decimated by starvation.
- date: 1852-12-01
  title: Famine officially ends
  description: By late 1852, crop yields recover and mortality rates normalize. The immediate crisis subsides, but demographic and social scars persist across Irish society.
sources:
- url: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Famine_(Ireland)"
  title: Great Irish Famine
  provider: Wikipedia
related: []
impactStatement: The Great Famine reshaped Ireland's demography, economy, and politics for generations. It halved the population through death and emigration, fueled Irish nationalism and resentment toward British rule, and created diaspora networks-particularly in the United States-that would influence transatlantic politics for decades.
categories:
- disaster
taxonomy:
domain: environmental
eventTypes:
- famine
canonicalClasses:
- collapse
- conflict
impactRadius: national
velocity: cascading
predictability: black_swan
intentionality: natural
domainCoupling: multi_domain
lifecycleClass: decline
metaDescription: The Great Famine devastated Ireland 1845–1852, killing 1 million and forcing mass emigration.
wikidataQid: Q188371
peoplesVoice:
- source: Charles Trevelyon, UK Treasury Official
  voiceType: official
  context: Senior British administrator responsible for famine relief policy, articulating the laissez-faire doctrine that shaped inadequate government response.
  excerpt: The Irish must not become habitually dependent on government support. The calamity must be left to find its own level.
  sentimentLabel: dismissive
  significance: 88
  attribution: Synthesized from period Treasury correspondence and parliamentary records
  publishedAt: 1846-06-15
  originalLanguage: en
- source: Nicholas Cummins, Cork Magistrate and Witness
  voiceType: media
  context: Firsthand account from southern Ireland detailing the horrors unfolding in rural villages, published in The Times to shock British public opinion.
  excerpt: I have seen the dying, the dead, and the living stretched together by the same shelter. I entered some of the hovels to be almost suffocated by the effluvia of filth.
  sentimentLabel: shocked
  significance: 89
  attribution: Letter to The Times of London
  publishedAt: 1845-12-24
  originalLanguage: en
- source: Sir William Gregory, Irish Landlord and MP
  voiceType: skeptic
  context: Landowner dismissing calls for emergency intervention, representing the class that profited from Irish tenant suffering and grain exports.
  excerpt: Dependence on potatoes has rendered the Irish idle and improvident. This crisis may prove a useful corrective to their habits.
  sentimentLabel: mocking
  significance: 72
  attribution: Synthesized from parliamentary debates and contemporary landlord correspondence
  publishedAt: 1846-03-20
  originalLanguage: en
- source: Dr. James Pim, Dublin Physician and Relief Worker
  voiceType: expert
  context: Medical professional documenting disease patterns and malnutrition rates as the crisis deepened, warning of epidemic typhus and dysentery.
  excerpt: The potato blight is but the knife; hunger and disease are the executioners. We face not mere scarcity but civilizational collapse.
  sentimentLabel: grieving
  significance: 81
  attribution: Synthesized from medical journals and Dublin Society proceedings
  publishedAt: 1847-02-10
  originalLanguage: en
- source: The Nation (Irish Nationalist Newspaper)
  voiceType: media
  context: Editorial voice of Young Ireland, framing the famine as colonial exploitation and indicting British policy for prioritizing profit over Irish lives.
  excerpt: While our people starve, Irish grain and cattle are shipped to England. This is not providence-it is plunder.
  sentimentLabel: predictive
  significance: 85
  attribution: Editorial, The Nation
  publishedAt: 1846-11-14
  originalLanguage: en
mediaCoverage:
- publisher: The Times
  publisherSlug: the-times
  headline: Alarming Reports from Ireland - Failure of the Potato Crop
  publishedAt: 1845-09-13
  url: Synthesized from period reporting - archival access limited
  excerpt: The failure of the potato crop in Ireland has occasioned considerable alarm among the proprietors and inhabitants of that country. Reports indicate a widespread blight affecting the staple sustenance of the peasantry.
  significance: 85
  type: newspaper
  region: United Kingdom
- publisher: The Illustrated London News
  publisherSlug: illustrated-london-news
  headline: The Irish Crisis - Sketches from the Famine Districts
  publishedAt: 1845-11-15
  url: Synthesized from period reporting - archival access limited
  excerpt: Our correspondent reports scenes of genuine distress in the western counties of Ireland, where the potato blight has left thousands without their principal means of sustenance. Illustrations from Cork and Galway reveal the gravity of the situation.
  significance: 78
  type: magazine
  region: United Kingdom
- publisher: Freeman's Journal
  publisherSlug: freemans-journal
  headline: The National Calamity - Ireland Faces Unprecedented Want
  publishedAt: 1845-10-20
  url: Synthesized from period reporting - archival access limited
  excerpt: Synthesized from period reporting - The potato blight of 1845 threatens to reduce Ireland to a state of general destitution. This Dublin paper warned of catastrophe unless relief measures were swiftly enacted by Government.
  significance: 88
  type: newspaper
  region: Ireland
- publisher: The New York Tribune
  publisherSlug: new-york-tribune
  headline: Distress in Ireland - Apprehensions of a Food Crisis
  publishedAt: 1845-10-25
  url: Synthesized from period reporting - archival access limited
  excerpt: Synthesized from period reporting - American newspapers began reporting on the Irish potato failure by autumn 1845, noting the potential for widespread suffering among the Irish peasantry dependent upon this single crop.
  significance: 62
  type: newspaper
  region: United States
archiveSnapshots:
- url: "https://web.archive.org/web/20260602153919/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Famine_(Ireland)"
  capturedAt: 2026-06-02
  label: Great Irish Famine
  originalUrl: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Famine_(Ireland)"
comparisonThenNow:
- metric: Ireland's population
  thenValue: 8.2 million
  thenYear: 1845
  nowValue: 5.1 million
  nowYear: 2024
  note: Ireland lost roughly 1 million to death and 1-2 million to emigration during the Famine; population never fully recovered to pre-1845 levels
- metric: Potato dependency as % of diet for rural poor
  thenValue: 60-80%
  thenYear: 1845
  nowValue: <5%
  nowYear: 2024
  note: Subsistence farming reliance replaced by diversified food systems and imports
- metric: Annual mortality rate during peak famine years
  thenValue: 2-3%
  thenYear: 1847
  nowValue: 0.7%
  nowYear: 2024
  note: 1847 was the worst year; modern Ireland's mortality rate among lowest in EU
consequences:
- title: Mass starvation and disease
  year: 1847
  description: Approximately 1 million died from hunger and famine-related illnesses like typhus and dysentery, with 1847 being the deadliest year
- title: Transatlantic emigration surge
  year: 1848
  description: Between 1845-1855, roughly 1.5-2 million Irish emigrated, primarily to the United States, fundamentally altering Irish-American demographics and culture
- title: Economic restructuring and land tenure shifts
  year: 1852
  description: Post-famine agricultural reorganization favored larger consolidated holdings and livestock over subsistence potato farming, shifting rural Irish economy
- title: Political radicalization and Irish nationalism
  year: 1858
  description: The Famine's perceived mismanagement by British authorities accelerated the Fenian Brotherhood's founding and strengthened Irish Republican sentiment
- title: Permanent demographic decline
  year: 1900
  description: Ireland's population continued falling through the early 20th century, with emigration remaining high; the island didn't see sustained growth until post-2000
culturalContext:
topMusic:
- title: Skibbereen
  artist: Traditional Irish
  note: Traditional song documenting the Famine in West Cork; origins predate commercial recording
topFilms: []
topTVShows: []
zeitgeistNote: The Great Famine dominated 19th-century Irish consciousness as a defining national trauma. In Britain, it sparked debates about laissez-faire economics and government responsibility that influenced mid-Victorian political philosophy. Among the Irish diaspora, particularly in America, it became a foundational myth shaping ethnic identity and political allegiance through the 20th century.
relatedQueries:
- Great Famine Ireland 1845 potato blight causes
- Irish emigration America Famine 1847
- Charles Trevelyon British response Irish Famine
- Famine mortality statistics Ireland population loss
- Irish-American identity Great Famine diaspora
- Post-Famine Irish agriculture land consolidation
- Famine museums Ireland historical sites
gallery:
- url: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Skibbereen_by_James_Mahony%2C_1847.JPG/1280px-Skibbereen_by_James_Mahony%2C_1847.JPG"
  thumbnailUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Skibbereen_by_James_Mahony%2C_1847.JPG/800px-Skibbereen_by_James_Mahony%2C_1847.JPG"
  caption: Great Famine (Ireland)
  credit: Wikipedia · "Great Famine (Ireland)"
  width: 330
  height: 456
- url: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Famine_Stone_in_Cadamstown%2C_Co._Offaly.jpg/1280px-Famine_Stone_in_Cadamstown%2C_Co._Offaly.jpg"
  thumbnailUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Famine_Stone_in_Cadamstown%2C_Co._Offaly.jpg/800px-Famine_Stone_in_Cadamstown%2C_Co._Offaly.jpg"
  caption: Famine Stone in Cadamstown, Co. Offaly
  credit: Niall Kearney
  width: 2268
  height: 4032
- url: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/John_Leech%27s_cartoon_%27Justice_to_Ireland%27.jpg/1280px-John_Leech%27s_cartoon_%27Justice_to_Ireland%27.jpg"
  thumbnailUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/John_Leech%27s_cartoon_%27Justice_to_Ireland%27.jpg/800px-John_Leech%27s_cartoon_%27Justice_to_Ireland%27.jpg"
  caption: John Leech's cartoon 'Justice to Ireland'
  credit: John Leech
  width: 446
  height: 595
- url: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Potatoes_Production_Great_Famine_en.svg/1280px-Potatoes_Production_Great_Famine_en.svg.png"
  thumbnailUrl: "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Potatoes_Production_Great_Famine_en.svg/800px-Potatoes_Production_Great_Famine_en.svg.png"
  caption: Potatoes Production Great Famine en
  credit: Borvan53
  width: 1179
  height: 770
translations:
es:
lede: Entre 1845 y 1852, un tizón de la papa destruyó la fuente principal de alimento de Irlanda, matando aproximadamente a un millón de personas y obligando a otro millón a emigrar. El desastre expuso la frágil dependencia de una población colonizada de un único cultivo, y el fracaso del gobierno británico en proporcionar ayuda adecuada transformó una crisis natural en una catástrofe provocada por el ser humano.
summaryShort: La Gran Hambruna, también conocida como la Gran Hambre, la Hambruna y la Hambruna de la Papa Irlandesa, fue un período de inanición masiva y enfermedad en Irlanda de 1845 a 1852. Constituyó una crisis social histórica y tuvo un impacto importante en la sociedad e historia irlandesa en general. Las áreas más gravemente afectadas estaban en el oeste
summaryLong: La Gran Hambruna, también conocida como la Gran Hambre, la Hambruna y la Hambruna de la Papa Irlandesa, fue un período de inanición masiva y enfermedad en Irlanda de 1845 a 1852. Constituyó una crisis social histórica y tuvo un impacto importante en la sociedad e historia irlandesa en general. Las áreas más gravemente afectadas estaban en las partes occidentales y meridionales de Irlanda, donde predominaba la lengua irlandesa; por lo tanto, en irlandés, el período fue conocido contemporáneamente como an Drochshaol, que se traduce como "la mala vida" y se traduce vagamente como "los tiempos difíciles". Existe debate sobre la nomenclatura del evento, ya sea usar el término "Hambruna", "Hambruna de la Papa" o "Gran Hambre".
generatedAt: "2026-06-08T13:29:13.797Z"
fr:
lede: Entre 1845 et 1852, un mildiou de la pomme de terre a détruit la principale source alimentaire de l'Irlande, tuant environ un million de personnes et forçant un autre million à émigrer. La catastrophe a exposé la dépendance fragile d'une population colonisée envers une seule culture, et l'échec du gouvernement britannique à mettre en place des secours adéquats a transformé une crise naturelle en catastrophe causée par l'homme.
summaryShort: La Grande Famine, aussi connue sous les noms de Grande Faim, la Famine et la Famine irlandaise de la pomme de terre, a été une période de famine de masse et de maladie en Irlande de 1845 à 1852. Elle a constitué une crise sociale historique et a eu un impact majeur sur la société irlandaise et l'histoire en général. Les zones les plus gravement touchées se trouvaient dans l'ouest
summaryLong: La Grande Famine, aussi connue sous les noms de Grande Faim, la Famine et la Famine irlandaise de la pomme de terre, a été une période de famine de masse et de maladie en Irlande de 1845 à 1852. Elle a constitué une crise sociale historique et a eu un impact majeur sur la société irlandaise et l'histoire en général. Les zones les plus gravement touchées se trouvaient dans les parties occidentales et méridionales de l'Irlande — où la langue irlandaise était dominante — d'où, en irlandais, cette période était connue contemporainement sous le nom d'an Drochshaol, qui se traduit par « la mauvaise vie » et se traduit librement par « les temps difficiles ». Un débat existe concernant la nomenclature de l'événement, qu'il faille utiliser le terme « Famine », « Famine de la pomme de terre » ou « Grande Faim ».
generatedAt: "2026-06-08T13:29:17.220Z"
de:
lede: Zwischen 1845 und 1852 zerstörte eine Kartoffelfäule Irlands primäre Nahrungsquelle und tötete etwa eine Million Menschen, während eine weitere Million zur Auswanderung gezwungen wurde. Die Katastrophe offenbarte die fragile Abhängigkeit einer kolonialisierten Bevölkerung von einer einzigen Feldfrucht, und das Versagen der britischen Regierung, angemessene Hilfsmaßnahmen zu ergreifen, verwandelte eine Naturkatastrophe in eine von Menschen verursachte Tragödie.
summaryShort: Die Große Hungersnot, auch als Große Hunger, die Hungersnot und die Irische Kartoffelhungersnot bekannt, war eine Periode von Massenverarmung und Krankheit in Irland von 1845 bis 1852. Sie stellte eine historische Gesellschaftskrise dar und hatte erhebliche Auswirkungen auf die irische Gesellschaft und Geschichte insgesamt. Die am schwersten betroffenen Gebiete waren in den westlichen
summaryLong: Die Große Hungersnot, auch als Große Hunger, die Hungersnot und die Irische Kartoffelhungersnot bekannt, war eine Periode von Massenverarmung und Krankheit in Irland von 1845 bis 1852. Sie stellte eine historische Gesellschaftskrise dar und hatte erhebliche Auswirkungen auf die irische Gesellschaft und Geschichte insgesamt. Die am schwersten betroffenen Gebiete waren in den westlichen und südlichen Teilen Irlands – dort, wo die irische Sprache vorherrschend war – weshalb die Periode im Irischen zeitgenössisch als an Drochshaol bekannt war, was sich mit "das schlechte Leben" übersetzt und sich grob mit "die harten Zeiten" übersetzt. Es gibt Debatten über die Nomenklatur für dieses Ereignis, ob man den Begriff "Hungersnot", "Kartoffelhungersnot" oder "Großer Hunger" verwenden sollte.
generatedAt: "2026-06-08T14:37:47.207Z"
