There was a great famine in Ireland in the year 1847 and 1848. The potatoe crop failed and many people died of hunger. All the corn in Ireland was sent over to England to pay taxes.
There was no tea coming into Ireland and so people used to eat potatoes. A lot of poor people used to steal raw turnips and eat them and if they were caught stealing a turnip from another man they would be put to jail.

Written by Katty Griffin, Ballymcquinn, Ardfert and obtained from Mr Patrick Griffin (64yrs) Ballymcquinn, Ardfert.