In 1845 a strange disease hit the potatoe crop. This was to have terrible consequences!

 
The British gov. set up workhouse to help alleviate poverty. Families were kept apart. Men broke stones. Women spun wool. Children went to school. Dorms were crowded. People hated them. They were a last resort.

 
Potatoes were the main diet of the poor because 1. Easy to grow in Ireland 2. Cheap 3. Nutritious

 
By 1940, Ireland's population was around 8 million. About 3 million people had no work. They depended on charity for survival.

 
Rich Farmers - Had big farms and were well-off. They grew crops and raised animals. They sold their produce to pay rent, buy food and clothes and had money left over.

 
Poor Farmers - Had small farms and were poor. Their main food was milk and potatoes. Their clothes were ragged.

 
Labourers - Very poor. Worked for farmers. Potatoes were the only food they could afford. If they had no work, they were forced to beg.

 
Landlords - Almost all the land was owned by rich Protestant landlords. They rented this land to farmers. As a result they lived in great luxury.

 
A Country of Farmers - The industrial revolution was not very successful in Ireland. One reason for this was a lack of coal needed for the new machines. As a result most people lived and worked in the countryside.