10 Interesting the Great Irish Famine Facts

The Great Irish Famine facts will tell the readers about the Great Hunger period which took place in 1845 until 1852 in Ireland. This period was characterized by the presence of mass starvation, emigration and disease which made the Irish suffered a lot. The people who live outside Ireland often dub this period of time as Irish Potato Famine. It is due to the fact that most people who lived in the country relied a lot on potato. It was a cheap crop at that time. Here are other facts to notice about Great Irish Famine:

The Great Irish Famine Facts 1: population

The population in Ireland reduced around 20 percent to 25 percent because of the Great Irish Famine. It was estimated that a million people emigrated from the island, while another one million people died.

The Great Irish Famine Facts 2: the cause

Phytophthora infestans was considered as the main cause of Great Irish Famine. The common name is potato blight. It was a disease which affected potato plants. In 1840s, most potato crops in European countries were affected by the disease.

The Great Irish Famine Facts

The Great Irish Famine Facts 3: the impact in Ireland

Even though this potato blight was found in most potato crops in European countries, the impact was severe in Ireland because the people were deeply dependent on potatoes. Check facts about Eureka Stockade here.

The Great Irish Famine Facts 4: the dependent people

Potato was considered as an important crop for one third of the people who lived in Ireland because of its political, religious, ethnic, economical and social importance.

The Great Irish Famine

The Great Irish Famine Facts 5: the impact of Great Irish Famine

The cultural landscape, political structure and the demographic in the country were affected by Great Irish Famine.

The Great Irish Famine Facts 6: the introduction of potato in Ireland

Potato was considered as a garden crop when it was introduced for the first time in the country. Find facts about the First Fleet here.

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The Great Irish Famine Facts 7: as a supplementary food

Potato was not used as a principal food. It was considered as a supplementary food by the end of 17th century. At that time, the people consumed grain, milk and butter as the main foods.

The Great Irish Famine Facts 8: the poor people

The poor people chose potatoes as their main food in 18th century during the winter season.

The Great Irish Famine Images

The Great Irish Famine Facts 9: the large dependency

Due to the large dependency, people had to experience famine in Ireland. When the crops were affected by the disease, they could do nothing.

The Great Irish Famine Facts 10: the genetic variability

The potato plants at that time had lack of genetic variability.

The Great Irish Famine Pic

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