Within the past 6 months or so since I discovered through researching my genealogy, my paternal g-g-grandparents were survivors of the Irish Famine, and immigrated to the United States. I was in Barnes and Noble one day and happened upon a fantastic book, entitled Paddy's Lament, Ireland 1846-1847: Prelude to Hatred, by Thomas Gallagher. This book was so engrossing I simply could not put it down.
Within the pages of this astounding book, you will discover what led to Irish potato famine, and exactly what our ancestors endured at the hands of English. You will be enlightened, stunned and perhaps even saddened by what you will discover. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Irish history, The Great Famine, or their Irish ancestry.
"Published : May 13th 1987 by Harvest/HBJ Book (first published 1982)
Details Paperback, 372 pages
ISBN: 0156707004 (isbn13: 9780156707008)
Description:
For the Irish, England was - is - too close. Stripped by England of religious freedom in the sixteenth century and economic freedom in the seventeenth, Ireland by the mid-1800s was primarily a population of peasants. Never far from the brink of economic and physical disaster, they lived as tenants on small plots, working for absentee British landlords. Ireland produced a yearly abundance of cattle and grain, but under British law these products were forbidden to the Irish and designated for export only. Thus the peasants and their families were forced to live on a single, moderately nutritious crop: potatoes.
Quite suddenly in 1846 an unknown and uncontrollable disease turned the potato crop to inedible slime, and the meager existence of all Ireland was threatened. Appealing to their Britain governors for relief, the peasant tenants instead received eviction, starvation, rampant sickness, and death.
Their plight is portrayed in staggering detail: In less than two years, two million Irish -- one-quarter of their entire population -- had died."
Extracted from: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/148210.Paddy_s_Lament_Ireland_1846_1847
Historically yours,
I'd love to read this book. I've read that the Irish potato famine was British-induced: they confiscated tools and potatoes so the Irish would starve. This is one of the numerous but unknown holocausts of history, truly tragic. My Irish blood shouts for recognition of this tragedy.
ReplyDeleteGood post. I linked here from Melanie's blog. wb
My paternal line left Ireland during the same period. My great-great-great-great grandfather and his children traveled to Canada and then over to New York. I have read a few books about that time period, but not Paddy's Lament. I will have to see if our library has it. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteHello Lisa
ReplyDeleteI've joined your other blog All things Wonderful.
This is interesting as I have Irish roots too. My father was born in Limerick and immigrated to New Zealand as a child.
Another book you should read is called "Trinity" by Leon Uris, it's a novel however it accurately portrays life in Ireland and their struggle for independance from Britain.
I feel very much like Warren - indeed it was a holocaust - enough to make my Irish blood boil!!!
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