Disturbed Podcast Narrator

British landlords own virtually all of the productive Irish farmland. Many of them manage it remotely from England, leaving desperately poor native Irish laborers to work the land. In addition to working on their landlord's parcel, most of these Irish farmers also rent small plots, feeding their families with the crops they grow. With very few exceptions, they all grow one thing.

The Irish lumper potato. The Irish lumper has a lot to offer the peasant farmer. One, it provides a high yield, even on a small square footage. See, the land available to farmers is limited to begin with. And as Irish families grow and pass down land to younger generations, those rental plots get divided up and become smaller and smaller.

The Irish lumper potato. The Irish lumper has a lot to offer the peasant farmer. One, it provides a high yield, even on a small square footage. See, the land available to farmers is limited to begin with. And as Irish families grow and pass down land to younger generations, those rental plots get divided up and become smaller and smaller.

The Irish lumper potato. The Irish lumper has a lot to offer the peasant farmer. One, it provides a high yield, even on a small square footage. See, the land available to farmers is limited to begin with. And as Irish families grow and pass down land to younger generations, those rental plots get divided up and become smaller and smaller.

But luckily, even though the average Irish male eats about 12 pounds of potatoes a day, just one acre of potatoes can feed his family of six for a year. The other benefit of potatoes is their nutrition. In a book about the famine entitled Their Graves Are Walking, author John Kelly explains that potatoes provide two to four times more calories per acre than grain.

But luckily, even though the average Irish male eats about 12 pounds of potatoes a day, just one acre of potatoes can feed his family of six for a year. The other benefit of potatoes is their nutrition. In a book about the famine entitled Their Graves Are Walking, author John Kelly explains that potatoes provide two to four times more calories per acre than grain.

But luckily, even though the average Irish male eats about 12 pounds of potatoes a day, just one acre of potatoes can feed his family of six for a year. The other benefit of potatoes is their nutrition. In a book about the famine entitled Their Graves Are Walking, author John Kelly explains that potatoes provide two to four times more calories per acre than grain.

That's why Irish farmers rely on it so heavily. They can feed their loved ones well. Potatoes are credited with allowing Irish families to grow and stay healthy. Irish folks aren't the only ones benefiting from the potato. Historians say the crop contributed to the population boom across all of Europe between 1750 and 1950.

That's why Irish farmers rely on it so heavily. They can feed their loved ones well. Potatoes are credited with allowing Irish families to grow and stay healthy. Irish folks aren't the only ones benefiting from the potato. Historians say the crop contributed to the population boom across all of Europe between 1750 and 1950.

That's why Irish farmers rely on it so heavily. They can feed their loved ones well. Potatoes are credited with allowing Irish families to grow and stay healthy. Irish folks aren't the only ones benefiting from the potato. Historians say the crop contributed to the population boom across all of Europe between 1750 and 1950.

All that manpower allows many countries, including Great Britain, to industrialize. That means a more modern and international economy that trades in manufactured goods as well as raw materials and crops. But remember, Ireland is basically Great Britain's pantry.

All that manpower allows many countries, including Great Britain, to industrialize. That means a more modern and international economy that trades in manufactured goods as well as raw materials and crops. But remember, Ireland is basically Great Britain's pantry.

All that manpower allows many countries, including Great Britain, to industrialize. That means a more modern and international economy that trades in manufactured goods as well as raw materials and crops. But remember, Ireland is basically Great Britain's pantry.

The folks who work in British factories making the goods that made England competitive on the international market, many of them eat imported Irish crops. Britain's industrialized economy is fueled by Irish food. But the British aren't exactly grateful. Instead, officials grumble about how Irish laziness results in a sluggish and primitive Irish economy.

The folks who work in British factories making the goods that made England competitive on the international market, many of them eat imported Irish crops. Britain's industrialized economy is fueled by Irish food. But the British aren't exactly grateful. Instead, officials grumble about how Irish laziness results in a sluggish and primitive Irish economy.

The folks who work in British factories making the goods that made England competitive on the international market, many of them eat imported Irish crops. Britain's industrialized economy is fueled by Irish food. But the British aren't exactly grateful. Instead, officials grumble about how Irish laziness results in a sluggish and primitive Irish economy.

From their perspective, the average farmer isn't helping his country move into the modern age. Most don't engage with currency. They eat what they grow and barter with whatever is left. British landlords want their Irish farmland to be more efficient and profitable. From their perspective, Irish farmers are holding them back as laborers and tenants.

From their perspective, the average farmer isn't helping his country move into the modern age. Most don't engage with currency. They eat what they grow and barter with whatever is left. British landlords want their Irish farmland to be more efficient and profitable. From their perspective, Irish farmers are holding them back as laborers and tenants.

From their perspective, the average farmer isn't helping his country move into the modern age. Most don't engage with currency. They eat what they grow and barter with whatever is left. British landlords want their Irish farmland to be more efficient and profitable. From their perspective, Irish farmers are holding them back as laborers and tenants.

Their manual farming could be performed faster and cheaper by machines. The land the farmers rent would be more lucrative growing food for trade. So landlords with an eye for profit want to evict their tenant farmers.