Irish Potato Famine

The Irish Potato Famine took place between 1845 and 1852. It was a time of terrible hardship in Ireland where approximately one million people died and another million people left the country. Ireland was almost completely dependent on the potato as the principal source of food for most people. During the Potato Famine, the potato crop was badly affected by a blight, leading to massive food shortages.

Many people left Ireland to disperse around the world, with a large number arriving in the United States and Canada. For more on their experience, see features on Ellis Island and the North American Immigrant Experience.