Disturbed Podcast Narrator

There had been crop failures of similar scale in the past, and farmers had always been able to scrape by until the following year's harvest came through. The British government ministry responsible for overseeing affairs in Ireland, the Home Office, also puts a few relief measures in place.

There had been crop failures of similar scale in the past, and farmers had always been able to scrape by until the following year's harvest came through. The British government ministry responsible for overseeing affairs in Ireland, the Home Office, also puts a few relief measures in place.

There had been crop failures of similar scale in the past, and farmers had always been able to scrape by until the following year's harvest came through. The British government ministry responsible for overseeing affairs in Ireland, the Home Office, also puts a few relief measures in place.

They purchase American corn to help stabilize food prices and as a backup food source for Irish families facing a ruined potato crop. Remember the women who James Mahoney saw waiting to buy corn? Those small portions were probably government subsidized. The Home Office also implements a few direct relief services.

They purchase American corn to help stabilize food prices and as a backup food source for Irish families facing a ruined potato crop. Remember the women who James Mahoney saw waiting to buy corn? Those small portions were probably government subsidized. The Home Office also implements a few direct relief services.

They purchase American corn to help stabilize food prices and as a backup food source for Irish families facing a ruined potato crop. Remember the women who James Mahoney saw waiting to buy corn? Those small portions were probably government subsidized. The Home Office also implements a few direct relief services.

They call for the formation of local committees to facilitate the delivery of supplemental food. They also organize public works projects that create opportunities for farmers to work for cash and therefore buy food to offset their crop losses. But the British government fails to take a common step to prevent famine. They decide that Ireland should continue exporting food.

They call for the formation of local committees to facilitate the delivery of supplemental food. They also organize public works projects that create opportunities for farmers to work for cash and therefore buy food to offset their crop losses. But the British government fails to take a common step to prevent famine. They decide that Ireland should continue exporting food.

They call for the formation of local committees to facilitate the delivery of supplemental food. They also organize public works projects that create opportunities for farmers to work for cash and therefore buy food to offset their crop losses. But the British government fails to take a common step to prevent famine. They decide that Ireland should continue exporting food.

During previous crop failures, Irish ports had been closed in order to make sure the island had enough food to keep everyone fed. When it comes to trade, British Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel takes on a free market approach, meaning he wants commerce to proceed without any government intervention, even at the expense of humanitarian aid.

During previous crop failures, Irish ports had been closed in order to make sure the island had enough food to keep everyone fed. When it comes to trade, British Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel takes on a free market approach, meaning he wants commerce to proceed without any government intervention, even at the expense of humanitarian aid.

During previous crop failures, Irish ports had been closed in order to make sure the island had enough food to keep everyone fed. When it comes to trade, British Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel takes on a free market approach, meaning he wants commerce to proceed without any government intervention, even at the expense of humanitarian aid.

So Ireland continues exporting food, even as some Irish farmers face entire fields of ruined crops, potentially a year's worth of sustenance. Now, this middle-of-the-road approach appears to work. There are no excess deaths in 1846, and things seem to be turning around. That summer's potato crop appears healthy.

So Ireland continues exporting food, even as some Irish farmers face entire fields of ruined crops, potentially a year's worth of sustenance. Now, this middle-of-the-road approach appears to work. There are no excess deaths in 1846, and things seem to be turning around. That summer's potato crop appears healthy.

So Ireland continues exporting food, even as some Irish farmers face entire fields of ruined crops, potentially a year's worth of sustenance. Now, this middle-of-the-road approach appears to work. There are no excess deaths in 1846, and things seem to be turning around. That summer's potato crop appears healthy.

In June, Prime Minister Peel seems to think the worst is over, shifting focus from iris suffering to, quote, "...the real question at issue is the improvement of the social and moral condition of the masses of the population." But then harvest time comes. Phytophthora infestans returns. This time, its rotten stench infiltrates all 32 Irish counties. There's nowhere.

In June, Prime Minister Peel seems to think the worst is over, shifting focus from iris suffering to, quote, "...the real question at issue is the improvement of the social and moral condition of the masses of the population." But then harvest time comes. Phytophthora infestans returns. This time, its rotten stench infiltrates all 32 Irish counties. There's nowhere.

In June, Prime Minister Peel seems to think the worst is over, shifting focus from iris suffering to, quote, "...the real question at issue is the improvement of the social and moral condition of the masses of the population." But then harvest time comes. Phytophthora infestans returns. This time, its rotten stench infiltrates all 32 Irish counties. There's nowhere.

In the fall of 1846, everyone in Ireland comes to grips with a horrifying reality. They are not recovering from last year's crop failure. Instead, they're facing an even worse one. The winter weather shapes up to be brutal, one of the worst anyone can remember. Daily life for the average Irishman becomes about survival.

In the fall of 1846, everyone in Ireland comes to grips with a horrifying reality. They are not recovering from last year's crop failure. Instead, they're facing an even worse one. The winter weather shapes up to be brutal, one of the worst anyone can remember. Daily life for the average Irishman becomes about survival.