ThE FaMiNe – An GoRtA MóR 3. Population and poverty


Between 1800 and 1845, Ireland’s population grew from 5 million to 8.5 million. While this growth reduced in the years just before the Famine (partly due to emigration), this was not the case in the poorer areas of the country. In fact, many of these areas in the west of Ireland continued to experience high levels of population growth. The density of people living on the land (number of people per square kilometre of land) was among the highest in Europe. As the population grew, land became more scarce. Ireland was not industrialised which meant that there were no factories or mines in which people could find work. They depended on farming to survive. Parents had to subdivide their farms among their sons and daughters. The farms, therefore, became smaller and it became more difficult to live off the land. A family with a small amount of land depended on the potato. Overall, the majority of the population was very poor and dependent on the potato for food. In addition, the population was still growing.


In response to the high levels of poverty in Ireland, the British government introduced the Irish Poor Law Act in 1838. Under this law, poverty-stricken people could get some aid. Workhouses were established where very poor families could go. Men, women and children were separated and made to work in return for food and lodgings. These workhouses were designed to be as unpleasant as possible so that only those in the worst condition (i.e. close to death) would consider going to them.


Source C Population of Ireland 1753 to 1901 10


0 2 4 6 8


1750 1760 1770 1780 1790 1800 1810 1820 1830 1840 1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 Year Looking at the evidence


This graph shows the population change in Ireland between 1753 and 1901. 1. In which ten-year period (decade) was there the greatest annual rate of change? 2. What was the highest population Ireland had during these years?


311


12


Fig 12.3 Population growth 1821–41 by province.


Population (millions)


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