1. The Famine 1845-1848 By Jade Roche Condon 6 th class

2. Background to the Famine Blight was a disease the rotted the potato plant. Blight was a disease the rotted the potato plant. It started in America then Belgium, France, Germany, England and the Netherlands. They did not have a famine. It started in America then Belgium, France, Germany, England and the Netherlands. They did not have a famine. Blight spread to Ireland in 1845. In July 1846 the blight struck again. There was no other food available. Many people became ill and many others faced starvation. Blight spread to Ireland in 1845. In July 1846 the blight struck again. There was no other food available. Many people became ill and many others faced starvation.

3. The Workhouses In the 1830’s and 1840’s places called workhouses were built all over Ireland to house people who could not help themselves. In the 1830’s and 1840’s places called workhouses were built all over Ireland to house people who could not help themselves. Poor people hated the workhouses they did everything to try to avoid them. But when they had no way of supporting themselves they went. Poor people hated the workhouses they did everything to try to avoid them. But when they had no way of supporting themselves they went.

4. Conditions in a workhouse Workhouses were horrific places. When family’s arrived they were split into male and female. Each person got a knife, spoon, cup or a mug, plate and a po. A po is a pot they used at night to go to the toilet. Their diet was nothing compared to ours. The people in the workhouse survived on porridge, stale bread, butter milk and potatoes. Workhouses were horrific places. When family’s arrived they were split into male and female. Each person got a knife, spoon, cup or a mug, plate and a po. A po is a pot they used at night to go to the toilet. Their diet was nothing compared to ours. The people in the workhouse survived on porridge, stale bread, butter milk and potatoes. Workhouses were not happy places. If people were caught talking or asleep on the job they were flogged. Some people died because of illness and disease. The rest of the family were not told until the burial. Workhouses were not happy places. If people were caught talking or asleep on the job they were flogged. Some people died because of illness and disease. The rest of the family were not told until the burial.

5. Workhouse

6. Emigration People emigrated because there was a famine in Ireland and people had no money, no homes, and no food. Some landlords kicked people out if their homes because they could not pay they rent. People emigrated because there was a famine in Ireland and people had no money, no homes, and no food. Some landlords kicked people out if their homes because they could not pay they rent. The only place to go was America or Canada. The only place to go was America or Canada.

7. Going to America Some people could not afford the fee for the ship to America or Canada. Some people could not afford the fee for the ship to America or Canada. Only the lucky ones who got money from relatives in America could go on the ships. Only the lucky ones who got money from relatives in America could go on the ships. Some kind landlords would pay the fee for some of their tenents. Some kind landlords would pay the fee for some of their tenents. People packed all their possessions in a bag or suitcase. They packed things such as the family bible, warm clothes, bed clothes and cooking utensils. People packed all their possessions in a bag or suitcase. They packed things such as the family bible, warm clothes, bed clothes and cooking utensils. The ships were called coffin ships because many people died of diseases or starvation. The ships were called coffin ships because many people died of diseases or starvation.

8. Ellis Island Ellis Island was an island where immigrants went when they first came to America. Ellis Island was an island where immigrants went when they first came to America. When they landed they had tags pinned on their clothes. They queued up to see doctors and inspectors. It was up to them to decide whether or not they could stay. When they landed they had tags pinned on their clothes. They queued up to see doctors and inspectors. It was up to them to decide whether or not they could stay. If they were sick they were marked with blue chalk and taken to Ellis Island hospital. When they recovered they were allowed into America. If they did not recover they were sent back to their home place. If they were sick they were marked with blue chalk and taken to Ellis Island hospital. When they recovered they were allowed into America. If they did not recover they were sent back to their home place.

9. Ellis Island