Irish Potato Famine

The Irish Potato Famine, also known as the Great Hunger (1845-1852), was a devastating period in Ireland's history when a potato disease called late blight (Phytophthora infestans) led to widespread crop failure, causing a severe food shortage. The famine resulted in the death of approximately one million people due to starvation and disease, and the forced emigration of at least another million. While many Irish emigrants sought refuge in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, a significant number also relocated to nearby Scotland, where they faced both opportunities and challenges, including discrimination and poverty. This mass exodus reshaped the demographics of both Ireland and the host countries, leaving a lasting legacy on the diaspora and global cultural influences.