School: Teamhair, Áth Treasna

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1. Famine Times

   

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   In the years 1846-47 the Great Famine effected this
   district very much. The district was very thickly
   populated before that time. In the townland of
   Taur, ruins of old houses are yet to be seen in
   James O'Mahony's land. They are to be seen also
   in Gloundyne, in the townland of Taur, in the
   parish of Newmarket, in the Co. of Cork. There
   are old houses in Blueford also in the parish of
   Newmarket, in the Co. of Cork. The year before
   the famine potatoes were very plentiful and the
   people stored them in big pits. When they were
   planted next year the blight came on them
   and they failed. They also decayed in the
   ground. There are not any accounts of the seed-
   potatoes for the following year. The potatoes
   were planted in ridges the following year. Potatoes
   were the staple food of the people at that time.
   When they failed, the people had to eat
   turnips and raw vegetables. The Government gave
   meat, soup, and meal to the the people, the people
   that accepted these things were called Soupers.
   People died in great numbers at the time of the
   famine. A great sickness followed it which was
   called the famine fever.

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. time
      1. historical periods by name (~25)
         1. the great famine (~4,013)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   John O' Connell

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Glennamucklagh East, Co. Cork

   Informant

   Mrs O' Connell

   Relation

   Parent

   Gender

   Female

   Age

   52

   Address

   Glennamucklagh East, Co. Cork