Between 1845 and 1852, Ireland suffered an appalling famine after the repeated failure of the potato crop, its national staple. But though caused by a natural blight, a combination of ancient prejudices, simmering tensions and political short-termism turned a national emergency into a disaster for the ages. So why did the authorities in Westminster seem to w ... Show More
Sep 2
Introducing Jane Austen Stories: Emma
This is a preview of a brand-new audiobook from the Noiser Podcast Network. Join Dame Julie Andrews as she reads another beloved Austen classic, Emma, on the Jane Austen Stories podcast. Step into the village of Highbury, home to the handsome and clever Emma Woodhouse. As new vis ... Show More
46m 52s
Jun 2013
The Irish Potato Famine: An Unnatural Disaster, Pt. 2
<p>In the mid-1800s, the poorest people in Ireland ate almost nothing but potatoes. Other crops were for selling. So when a blight cut a swath through the potato crop, the impact was severe, and politics played a significant role in the tragedy.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ... Show More
21m 17s
Aug 2020
SYMHC Classics: Irish Famine, Part 2
The second episode in our revisit of the Irish Famine covers the mid-1800s, when the poorest people in Ireland ate almost nothing but potatoes, saving other crops for selling. So a blight, plus politics, led to tragedy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcas ... Show More
19m 46s
Apr 2020
Crossover Week: Natural Disasters (Potato Famine Pt. 2)
If you enjoy the true stories told in Survival, check out this episode from our series Natural Disasters: By the late 1840s, with no end in sight to the potato famine gripping Ireland and no help coming from the British government, the Irish people were left with few options. For ... Show More
35m 25s
Apr 2020
Crossover Week: Natural Disasters (Potato Famine Pt. 1)
If you enjoy the true stories told in Survival, check out this episode from our series Natural Disasters: In 1845, a fungus destroyed Ireland’s potato crops, leaving the Irish population without its main food source. The first months of the famine morphed into a bureaucratic nigh ... Show More
47m 21s
Jun 2024
Beyond the Famine: A History of the Potato in Ireland
<p>Throughout history, bread has consistently been one of the most popular foods across the world. For two centuries, Ireland was an exception.</p><p>Indeed, by the early 19th century, some communities in the west of Ireland had lost all knowledge of how to bake bread.</p><br><p> ... Show More
27m 50s
Mar 2025
The Great Hunger of Ireland: Natural Disaster or Man-Made Genocide?
In the mid-19th century, British-occupied Ireland lost roughly one-third of its population during a years-long catastrophe known as “The Great Hunger” or, “The Irish Potato Famine.” In the years that followed, some have wondered if the tragedy wasn’t the result of a natural disas ... Show More
37m 18s