Am Memory: Voices From the Irish Famine, 1845-1852 - A Haunting Account of a Devastating Period in Irish History

The Irish Famine, also known as An Gorta Mór in Irish, was a catastrophic period that occurred from 1845 to 1852 and had a profound impact on Ireland and its people. The famine was caused by a combination of factors, including a potato blight, over-reliance on a single crop, and a lack of government relief. The consequences of the famine were devastating, with an estimated one million people dying and over one million emigrating.

The Library of Congress's Am Memory collection contains a wealth of materials related to the Irish Famine, including oral histories, photographs, and documents. These materials provide a first-hand account of the famine and its impact on the lives of those who lived through it.

The Irish Famine was caused by a combination of factors, including:

I am Memory: Voices from the Irish Famine 1845-1852

by Mary Groarke

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2520 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	25 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	31 pages
Item Weight	:	3.52 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.08 x 9 inches

FREE

• Potato blight: The potato blight was a fungus that destroyed potato crops throughout Ireland. The potato was the staple food of the Irish peasantry, and the failure of the potato crop led to widespread starvation.
• Over-reliance on a single crop: Ireland's over-reliance on a single crop made it vulnerable to crop failure. The potato was the main source of food for the Irish peasantry, and when the potato crop failed, there were few other sources of food available.
• Lack of government relief: The British government's response to the famine was inadequate. The government provided some relief, but it was not enough to prevent widespread starvation.

The consequences of the Irish Famine were devastating, including:

• Death: An estimated one million people died during the famine. The majority of deaths were caused by starvation, but disease also played a role.
• Emigration: Over one million people emigrated from Ireland during the famine. The majority of emigrants went to the United States, but others went to Canada, Australia, and other countries.
• Social and economic disruption: The famine caused widespread social and economic disruption in Ireland. The famine led to the collapse of the Irish economy, and it also led to a decline in the Irish population.

The Am Memory collection of the Library of Congress contains a wealth of materials related to the Irish Famine, including oral histories, photographs, and documents. These materials provide a first-hand account of the famine and its impact on the lives of those who lived through it.

One of the most moving oral histories in the Am Memory collection is that of Patrick Kennedy. Kennedy was a young boy when the famine struck, and he witnessed the death of his family and friends. In his oral history, Kennedy describes the horrors of the famine and the impact it had on his life.

Another valuable resource in the Am Memory collection is the collection of photographs taken by Robert French. French was a photographer who documented the famine in Ireland. His photographs provide a visual record of the famine and its impact on the Irish people.

The Am Memory collection also contains a number of documents related to the Irish Famine, including government reports, newspaper articles, and letters. These documents provide a valuable historical record of the famine and the government's response to it.

The Irish Famine was a devastating period in Irish history. The famine caused widespread death, emigration, and social and economic disruption. The Am Memory collection of the Library of Congress contains a wealth of materials related to the famine, including oral histories, photographs, and documents. These materials provide a first-hand account of the famine and its impact on the lives of those who lived through it.

The Irish Famine remains a defining event in Irish history. The famine had a profound impact on Ireland's population, economy, and culture. The famine also left a lasting legacy of emigration and diaspora. Today, there are an estimated 80 million people of Irish descent living around the world.

The Irish Famine is a reminder of the importance of food security and the devastating consequences that can result from crop failure. The famine is also a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the ability of people to overcome adversity.

I am Memory: Voices from the Irish Famine 1845-1852

by Mary Groarke

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2520 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	25 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	31 pages
Item Weight	:	3.52 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.08 x 9 inches

FREE