The 1845 Irish Famine | Part 2: Exodus

In the final episode of our two-part series on the Irish Potato Famine, we examine the most devastating years of the crisis. As Lord John Russell’s government prioritizes cost-cutting, Charles Trevelyan enforces harsh famine relief policies that intensify the suffering. Amid the chaos, the Quakers revolutionize soup kitchens, while Asenath Nicholson opens her home to the starving.

We also explore the mass emigration that followed, with millions fleeing on overcrowded "coffin ships" to America. This episode uncovers the famine’s lasting impact on Ireland’s population, culture, and its relationship with Britain, leaving scars that shaped generations.

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• Sources and Attributions on our website.

Sources:

• Book: The Great Hunger by Cecil Woodham Smith
• Book: The Famine Plot: England's Role in Ireland's Greatest Tragedy - Tim Coogan
• Book: Black '47 and beyond by Cormac Ó Gráda
• Book: Ireland's Welcome to the Stranger: Or An Excursion Through Ireland, in 1844 & 1845, for the Purpose of Personally Investigating the Condition of the Poor. By A. Nicholson
• Book: Compassionate Stranger: Asenath Nicholson and the Great Irish Famine by Maureen O’Rourke Murphy
• Book: Black Potatoes The Story of the Great Irish Famine by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
• Article: Irish Tools Of Labour
• Article: The Artist Who Dared to Paint Ireland’s Great Famine
• Article: Tony Blairs speech to Irish parliament
• Poem: The Eviction by William Allingham
• Media: Wikitounges: Siobhán speaking Irish
• Usage License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/us/ 
• Media: Skibereen song
• Media: Fields Of Athenry song
• Media: Boys On The Dock by Dropkick Murphys song

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