The FamineThe Famine1845-18481845-1848

By Jade Roche Condon 6By Jade Roche Condon 6thth class class

Background to the FamineBackground to the Famine

Blight was a disease the rotted the potato Blight was a disease the rotted the potato plant.plant.

It started in America then Belgium, France, It started in America then Belgium, France, Germany, England and the Netherlands. They Germany, England and the Netherlands. They did not have a famine. did not have a famine.

Blight spread to Ireland in 1845. In July 1846 Blight spread to Ireland in 1845. In July 1846 the blight struck again. There was no other the blight struck again. There was no other food available. Many people became ill and food available. Many people became ill and many others faced starvation. many others faced starvation.

The WorkhousesThe Workhouses In the 1830’s and 1840’s places called In the 1830’s and 1840’s places called

workhouses were built all over Ireland to workhouses were built all over Ireland to house people who could not help themselves.house people who could not help themselves.

Poor people hated the workhouses they did Poor people hated the workhouses they did everything to try to avoid them. But when they everything to try to avoid them. But when they had no way of supporting themselves they had no way of supporting themselves they went.went.

Conditions in a workhouseConditions in a workhouse

Workhouses were horrific places. When family’s Workhouses were horrific places. When family’s arrived they were split into male and female. Each arrived they were split into male and female. Each person got a knife, spoon, cup or a mug, plate and a person got a knife, spoon, cup or a mug, plate and a po. A po is a pot they used at night to go to the toilet. po. A po is a pot they used at night to go to the toilet. Their diet was nothing compared to ours. The people Their diet was nothing compared to ours. The people in the workhouse survived on porridge, stale bread, in the workhouse survived on porridge, stale bread, butter milk and potatoes. butter milk and potatoes.

Workhouses were not happy places. If people were Workhouses were not happy places. If people were caught talking or asleep on the job they were flogged. caught talking or asleep on the job they were flogged. Some people died because of illness and disease. The Some people died because of illness and disease. The rest of the family were not told until the burial. rest of the family were not told until the burial.

WorkhouseWorkhouse

EmigrationEmigration

People emigrated because there was a famine People emigrated because there was a famine in Ireland and people had no money, no in Ireland and people had no money, no homes, and no food. Some landlords kicked homes, and no food. Some landlords kicked people out if their homes because they could people out if their homes because they could not pay they rent. not pay they rent.

The only place to go was America or Canada. The only place to go was America or Canada.

Going to AmericaGoing to America

Some people could not afford the fee for the ship to Some people could not afford the fee for the ship to America or Canada. America or Canada.

Only the lucky ones who got money from relatives in Only the lucky ones who got money from relatives in America could go on the ships. America could go on the ships.

Some kind landlords would pay the fee for some of their Some kind landlords would pay the fee for some of their tenents.tenents.

People packed all their possessions in a bag or suitcase. People packed all their possessions in a bag or suitcase. They packed things such as the family bible, warm clothes, They packed things such as the family bible, warm clothes, bed clothes and cooking utensils. bed clothes and cooking utensils.

The ships were called coffin ships because many people The ships were called coffin ships because many people died of diseases or starvation. died of diseases or starvation.

Ellis IslandEllis Island Ellis Island was an island where immigrants went Ellis Island was an island where immigrants went

when they first came to America. when they first came to America. When they landed they had tags pinned on their When they landed they had tags pinned on their

clothes. They queued up to see doctors and clothes. They queued up to see doctors and inspectors. It was up to them to decide whether or not inspectors. It was up to them to decide whether or not they could stay. they could stay.

If they were sick they were marked with blue chalk If they were sick they were marked with blue chalk and taken to Ellis Island hospital. When they and taken to Ellis Island hospital. When they recovered they were allowed into America. If they did recovered they were allowed into America. If they did not recover they were sent back to their home place.not recover they were sent back to their home place.

Ellis IslandEllis Island