Part Four
3. EFFECTS OF THE GREAT FAMINE THE DEAD & CULTURAL CHANGES The Irish Famine of 1846-50 took as many as one million lives from hunger and disease, and changed the social and cultural structure of Ireland in a number of profound ways. The Irish language, which was already in decline, suffered a near fatal blow from the Famine, since it was the more remote areas which still used Irish that were most affected by the famine. Land holdings became larger, as the tendency to subdivide the family farm declined. From now on, the farm was given to one son and the others often had little choice but to emigrate. The Famine also changed centuries-old agricultural practices, hastening the end of the division of family estates into tiny lots capable of sustaining life only with a potato crop. The famine affected the poorest classes - the cottiers and labourers - most of all, the cottier class being almost wiped out. EMIGRATION It is estimated that at least one million people died from starvation and its attendant diseases, whilst a further 1 million emigrated during the famine years. The population of the island dropped from over 8 million in 1845 to about 6 million in 1850. By 1900, over 4 million had left Ireland and emigration continued well into the 1950's - averaging 60, 000 a year. Early marriages almost disappeared and a decline in the birth rate resulted. NATIONALISM The millions who left Ireland on the emigrant ships took with them a hatred of England and English rule that has survived to the present day. Suddenly, Irish people realised that they had to take control of their own affairs. England had failed in its obligations to the people that it ruled and a new generation of rebels and agitators were born. Parnell and Davitt fought for and achieved land reforms. The Gaelic Athletic Association was formed to promote a greater sense of Irish identity. Rebels such as Padraig Pearse were expounding the need for national independence from England. The 1916 Easter Rising and the subsequent War of Independence, Civil War and ultimate Independence have roots in the Great Famine and the 1798 Rising by the United Irishmen that proceeded it. THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR THE LANDLORD SYSTEM The Landlord class was ruined by the famine. The Government introduced the Encumbered Estates Act in 1849, making it easier for landlords to sell off their land. The land acts later in the century fought for by Parnell and Davitt finally put paid to this hated system of authority in rural Ireland. COPYRIGHT ©, The Information about Ireland Site, 1998 Web Site: http://www.ireland-information.com Email to: editor@ireland-information.com
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