Disturbed Podcast Narrator

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.

diversions like poetry dancing and music staples of irish culture become a distant memory as the number of people in need increases gaps in prime minister peel's relief efforts become obvious public works projects are supposed to allow starving peasants to earn enough money to buy food

diversions like poetry dancing and music staples of irish culture become a distant memory as the number of people in need increases gaps in prime minister peel's relief efforts become obvious public works projects are supposed to allow starving peasants to earn enough money to buy food

diversions like poetry dancing and music staples of irish culture become a distant memory as the number of people in need increases gaps in prime minister peel's relief efforts become obvious public works projects are supposed to allow starving peasants to earn enough money to buy food

In reality, families, even children already weak from starvation, struggle to complete heavy labor that's often pointless. They might spend the day splitting rocks to build roads that don't lead anywhere. The hard-earned wage for this futile work isn't enough to sustain an entire family. And that's only when they do get paid. Many of these projects are riddled with corruption.

In reality, families, even children already weak from starvation, struggle to complete heavy labor that's often pointless. They might spend the day splitting rocks to build roads that don't lead anywhere. The hard-earned wage for this futile work isn't enough to sustain an entire family. And that's only when they do get paid. Many of these projects are riddled with corruption.

In reality, families, even children already weak from starvation, struggle to complete heavy labor that's often pointless. They might spend the day splitting rocks to build roads that don't lead anywhere. The hard-earned wage for this futile work isn't enough to sustain an entire family. And that's only when they do get paid. Many of these projects are riddled with corruption.

The more direct support, like soup kitchens and government-subsidized food distribution... also have major flaws. Prime Minister Robert Peel might have purchased some supplemental corn, but he intended for local authorities to handle the processing and distribution of that corn. Often, this means landlords.

The more direct support, like soup kitchens and government-subsidized food distribution... also have major flaws. Prime Minister Robert Peel might have purchased some supplemental corn, but he intended for local authorities to handle the processing and distribution of that corn. Often, this means landlords.

The more direct support, like soup kitchens and government-subsidized food distribution... also have major flaws. Prime Minister Robert Peel might have purchased some supplemental corn, but he intended for local authorities to handle the processing and distribution of that corn. Often, this means landlords.

Peel assumes that wealthy landlords will use their own money to support the working class because they depend on working class labor to maintain their own solvency. But landlords are in no financial position to help. A significant portion of their income relies on rent and countless tenants are in arrears. Then it gets worse. Again. A British election results in a power changeover.

Peel assumes that wealthy landlords will use their own money to support the working class because they depend on working class labor to maintain their own solvency. But landlords are in no financial position to help. A significant portion of their income relies on rent and countless tenants are in arrears. Then it gets worse. Again. A British election results in a power changeover.

Peel assumes that wealthy landlords will use their own money to support the working class because they depend on working class labor to maintain their own solvency. But landlords are in no financial position to help. A significant portion of their income relies on rent and countless tenants are in arrears. Then it gets worse. Again. A British election results in a power changeover.

The new prime minister puts Charles Edward Trevelyan in charge of relief efforts in Ireland. Unfortunately for the starving Irish, Trevelyan leans even more heavily towards a free market approach than Peel's administration did. Like Peel, Trevelyan figures that pausing Irish food exports could make the Irish economy even less competitive on the international market.

The new prime minister puts Charles Edward Trevelyan in charge of relief efforts in Ireland. Unfortunately for the starving Irish, Trevelyan leans even more heavily towards a free market approach than Peel's administration did. Like Peel, Trevelyan figures that pausing Irish food exports could make the Irish economy even less competitive on the international market.

The new prime minister puts Charles Edward Trevelyan in charge of relief efforts in Ireland. Unfortunately for the starving Irish, Trevelyan leans even more heavily towards a free market approach than Peel's administration did. Like Peel, Trevelyan figures that pausing Irish food exports could make the Irish economy even less competitive on the international market.

He's in favor of continuing the export of Irish crops unaffected by the blight, like grain, to whichever country can pay the highest price. That certainly isn't Ireland. So, merchants and landlords continue to make money on the exported crops that survive the blight... but the Irish laborers working their land are facing a worsening food shortage.

He's in favor of continuing the export of Irish crops unaffected by the blight, like grain, to whichever country can pay the highest price. That certainly isn't Ireland. So, merchants and landlords continue to make money on the exported crops that survive the blight... but the Irish laborers working their land are facing a worsening food shortage.

He's in favor of continuing the export of Irish crops unaffected by the blight, like grain, to whichever country can pay the highest price. That certainly isn't Ireland. So, merchants and landlords continue to make money on the exported crops that survive the blight... but the Irish laborers working their land are facing a worsening food shortage.

Even though the situation is increasingly dire, Trevelyan also chooses to cut down on more direct relief efforts like supplemental food and soup kitchens. He worries such quote unquote handouts could make Irish people dependent on government support. No one is coming to save Ireland. Famine and its consequences run rampant. The suffering over the next several years is tremendous.