Chronology of the Great Famine

Irish potato famine Bridget O'Donnel

Chronology of the Great Famine

The Great Famine, also known as the Irish Potato Famine, was a period of mass starvation, disease, and emigration in Ireland between 1845 and 1852. It is considered one of the most significant events in Irish history.

1845

• **August 1845**: The first signs of the potato blight (Phytophthora infestans) are reported in Ireland. The blight causes the potato crops, a staple food for the Irish population, to rot.
• **September 1845**: The blight spreads rapidly, affecting nearly one-third of the potato crop.
• **October 1845**: Robert Peel, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, establishes a scientific commission to investigate the blight.

1846

• **January 1846**: The British government begins to import Indian corn (maize) from the United States to alleviate the food shortage.
• **Summer 1846**: The potato blight returns with greater intensity, destroying almost the entire crop.
• **August 1846**: The Corn Laws are repealed, allowing for the importation of cheaper grain into the United Kingdom.
• **Autumn 1846**: Widespread starvation and disease begin to take hold in Ireland.

1847

• **Spring 1847**: The British government establishes workhouses and soup kitchens to provide relief to the starving population.
• **Summer 1847**: The potato crop is relatively free of blight, but the yield is low due to reduced planting.
• **Autumn 1847**: The Poor Law Extension Act is passed, placing the responsibility for famine relief on local Irish authorities.

1848

• **Spring 1848**: The potato blight returns, causing further devastation to the crop.
• **Summer 1848**: Cholera and other diseases spread rapidly among the weakened population.
• **Autumn 1848**: Emigration from Ireland increases significantly, with many people fleeing to North America and Great Britain.

1849

• **Spring 1849**: The potato crop is again affected by blight, though less severely than in previous years.
• **Summer 1849**: The Encumbered Estates Act is passed, allowing for the sale of bankrupt estates to new owners.
• **Autumn 1849**: The death toll from starvation and disease continues to rise.

1850

• **Spring 1850**: The potato crop shows signs of recovery, but many Irish farmers are still struggling to survive.
• **Summer 1850**: Emigration continues at a high rate, with many Irish people seeking better opportunities abroad.
• **Autumn 1850**: The British government begins to scale back its relief efforts, believing the worst of the famine is over.

1851

• **Spring 1851**: The potato crop is relatively healthy, leading to a slight improvement in food availability.
• **Summer 1851**: The Census of Ireland, 1851 reveals a significant decline in the population due to death and emigration.
• **Autumn 1851**: The British government continues to reduce its involvement in famine relief.

1852

• **Spring 1852**: The potato crop is healthy, marking the end of the worst period of the famine.
• **Summer 1852**: Emigration remains high, but the immediate crisis of starvation begins to subside.
• **Autumn 1852**: The Great Famine is considered to have ended, though its effects on the Irish population and economy are long-lasting.

Aftermath

The Great Famine had a profound impact on Ireland, leading to a significant decrease in population, changes in land ownership, and long-term economic and social consequences. The legacy of the famine is still remembered in Ireland and among the Irish diaspora today.

See also

• History of Ireland
• Irish diaspora
• Potato blight
• Robert Peel
• Corn Laws
• Workhouses
• Soup kitchens
• Cholera
• Encumbered Estates Act
• Census of Ireland, 1851