The population of Ireland was approximately 5 million.
The population of Ireland was approximately 7 million.
1838
The Irish Poor Law Act set up workhouses for poor Irish people.
1800 1815 1820 1825 1830 1829
1801 The Act of Union meant that Ireland was ruled directly by the British Parliament.
Catholic Emancipation was brought in. This meant that Catholics who owned land could vote for the first time.
1835 1840
1
Life expectancy in Ireland at the time of the Famine was 37 or 38 years of age. In 2017 it was 80.9 years.
100 Age
20 40 60 80
0 1845 Year 2017
2
In Britain, 24% of adults are Irish or can claim Irish ancestry.
As you work through this chapter, you will: 1.
Investigate the causes of the Famine in Ireland from 1800.
2. Explore how Irish society was organised in the early nineteenth century. 3. Compare how the lives of rich and poor people differed. 4. Outline the course of the Famine between 1845 and 1850. 5. Examine the responses to the Famine by different groups and appraise the success of the responses.
6. Identify the national and international consequences of An Gorta Mór. 7. Examine the significance of the Irish diaspora. 8. Evaluate the impact of An Gorta Mór on how the Irish population interacted with Britain and the world.