School: Paite Gobha (Pettigo)
- Location:
- Pettigo, Co. Donegal
- Teacher: Eilís Nic Liam
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 1030, Page 315
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- In the year 1846 a dreadful thunder storm came on in Pettigo.
In the Autumn of that year a strange and fearful smell came off the potato crop. Some people had pits of potatoes, but when they opened them the potatoes were in a rotten mass.
In the year 1847 there was a dreadful famine.
Mr. John Leslie employed the people to work for him so that he could help them.
Mr. Connigham organised the Relief Committee and it was composed of the local shopkeepers and clergy. The people were given presents of tea, sugar, and rice.
Thousands of people emigrated to America, but some of them never reached it because a plague broke out on the ship.
Obtained from Mr. Johnston aged 50, who heard the account from his father, now deceased.
- Informant
- Mr W. Johnston
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 50
