The Truth Behind The Irish Famine

by Jerry Mulvihill

In 1845, Ireland was part of the United Kingdom, which was the richest and most powerful nation in the world. Ireland was producing a surplus of food.

However, between 1845 and 1852, more than 1.5 million Irish people starved to death, while massive quantities of food were being exported from their country to Britain.

A half million people were evicted from their homes, often illegally and violently, during the potato blight. Another 1.5 million had no choice but to immigrate to foreign lands aboard rotting, overcrowded ‘coffin ships’.

The famine left a scar so deep within the Irish people, that it set in motion a war that would finally gain Ireland its independence from Britain in 1922.

How could there be a famine in a land with surplus food?

How did Britain respond?

What were the Penal laws and how did they impact this disaster?

Why were 3 million people reliant on potatoes to survive?

How could a country with a population of nearly 9 million people be divided into only 10,000 estates?

This is the story of how that immense tragedy came to pass. This is the truth behind the Irish famine.

Sixty-four paintings were specially commissioned for this book by four artists:
Gerardine C. Sheridan, Rodney Charman, Maurice Pierse, Jane Hilliard.

This is the most extensive visualisation of the subject. All of the artwork was inspired by information taken from diaries of the time. There are over 400 eyewitness quotations in the book.

Genres: History, Ireland, Nonfiction, Irish Literature

295 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Kelly Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true but very sad story about the Famine in Ireland. Since my great grandparents came to the USA via Canada it was gut wrenching to think and see what they may have experienced. Wow! I actually purchased this book from the author on a trip to Ireland as we was at the Cliffs of Moher gift shop. I want my kids and grandkids to know about their heritage. Update: I know I gave this a 5 Star review but when I looked recently it was a 4! I changed it back to 5 - this is a must read! You can’t change history but we must learn from it!

[Mike Langan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent records of the famine and the events leading to it, its impact on Ireland and its people and ultimately on the British Empire. A must read.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing recollection of the plight that the Irish went through during those years and the strength they had the centuries before to endure the hatred of England and to still maintain their culture, language and religion. Beautiful, disheartening, and extremely sad.

[Logan Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book while touring the Ring of Kerry. This book was very impactful especially when you look at the turf bogs, monuments, ruins and scars left in the region by the Famine. The book has many quotes and recollections from eyewitnesses and newspapers. The illustrations within are dramatic and ghastly. This book tells a compelling history of a dark time in Irish history.

The claims in the book might turn people off. Early in the book there are accounts of Irish slavery. These people were not technically slaves like Africans were. There is a claim that food was net exported in the book where some others point to food being imported during the Famine. The author points to sources and draws the conclusion that the UK is responsible for genocide. I have my opinions and you have yours and it’s best to read and decide for yourself. If you were told that you could be treated like a person if you gave up your culture, language, and religion I’m sure you would feel strongly.

If you want to know about the Famine this is a good start. The people in this book are real and the experiences depicted are results from negligence that must be understood and prevented.

[Brónagh Ní Chuilinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry Mullvihill's 'The Truth Behind the Irish Famine' is a captivating and insightful exploration of this tragic chapter in history. Mullvihill skillfully navigates the complexities of the famine, offering readers an engaging narrative that is both informative and accessible.

While the book admirably highlights Britain's role in exacerbating the famine, it occasionally falls short in fully addressing other contributing factors, such as the lack of involvement of the Catholic Church. However, Mullvihill's presentation of the facts allows readers to form their own conclusions, maintaining a level of objectivity throughout.

Overall, 'The Truth Behind the Irish Famine' is a valuable addition to historical literature. It underscores the importance of understanding our past and learning from it to shape a better future. Mullvihill's work is essential reading for anyone seeking insight into this pivotal period in Irish history.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This big fat, heavy book was abandoned in our rental car in Killarney, Ireland likely due to the its size. It rolls history, recollections, art, quotes, and the horrific facts of the Irish Famine that took place 1845 - 1852. It isn't a book you sit down and read in one sitting. It is a book to be digested over time. The ravens and hooded crows on the front cover as ominous as the dead in the black house. It was signed by the author and certainly not meant to be abandoned with half a bottle of Irish Whiskey and a broken pair of glasses. This is a book to be visited and revisited and shared. Poverty set these people apart from the British who loaded their ships with available food and left them to die. It was not skin colour that sealed their fate but lack of power. Horrific but not to be forgotten or discarded as irrelevant.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone that's bothered to study the Irish Famine knows Britain tried to exterminate us,plain and simple. This bothered me for years. Still does. No better than what the Nazis did to the Jews,just not reported on as much because it wasn't as obvious. It was still an extermination,but we got the last laugh. There's more Irish in America than in Ireland now,and we're thriving. Not that we were treated much better when we landed here. They say time heals all wounds,I wonder if the wounds would be healed here in America,if Britain still occupied 1/3 of your country......and no,I was not alive in 1847. But the repercussions have echoed throughout my family,to this very day. Our memories are not very short.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting documentation of the ”potato famine” in mid 19th century Ireland, and how it was caused by British policy rather than lack of food on the island.

I appreciate the paintings mm. However, I find it somewhat misleading when the quotes are spread out in such a way to make it look like it was more individuals than it was, instead the same person is quoted on subsequent pages as if he was another individual.

[Chris Witkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

With compelling illustrations, commissioned for the book, along with quotes and antidotes about the people who suffered, this large, coffee table sized book, reveals the horror of the era and treachery of the country that allowed this travesty to occur:England. An extremely effective telling of the calamity that befell Ireland in the mid 1880s.

[Brian Condra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.

[Ann Pike]

Have yet to read this book.

[Kate cowler]

This says that Ireland gained independence from Britain in 1922, 26 of the county's did,but 6 are still under British rule here in the North of ireland.This is often forgotten.

[Sandra Guinan-Donaldson]

I hope they add this to Amazon.ca in Kindle format!

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by the oppressed. People who cheer on colonialism & "the good" it's done should read this

[Hans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ghastly story of genocide.
How the British treated the Irish during the great hunger.
1845-1849
Contemporary quotes and studied statistics on misgovernment.