logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2013
21m 17s

The Irish Potato Famine: An Unnatural Di...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

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.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Today
Behind the Scenes Minis: Complicated Werewolf
Holly discusses the complicated nature of the Loudun possessions. Tracy talks about the ways that entertainment media can cause fear.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
18m 31s
Oct 8
Peter Stumpp, Werewolf of Bedburg
Peter Stubbe or Peter Stumpp, also known as the Werewolf of Bedburg, was part of a case in Germany where the concepts of witchcraft and lycanthropy were interconnected. Research: Baillie, Nathan. “Monstrous Lessons: Peter Stumpp, the Werewolf of Bedburg.” University of Saskatchew ... Show More
40m 38s
Oct 6
Loudun Possessions
In 17th century France a group of nuns described some unsettling visitations at their convent, which developed into a story of possession, political intrigue, and a moment in time that was rife with social tensions. Research: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Wars of Reli ... Show More
35m 6s
Recommended Episodes
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
Jan 2023
The Irish Potato Famine
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 i ... Show More
57m 5s
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
Dec 2021
1: History of Everything: Potatoes
In this episode Stakuyi takes a deep dive into the introduction of potatoes to Europe and the trials and tribulations that came with it. Did you know potatoes were EVIL? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 
47m 3s
Jan 2009
DocArchive (1984): History of the Irish potato
Sir Walter Raleigh's is revered as the man who brought the potato to Ireland from South America. In this documentary John Skehan looks at the importance of the potato in Ireland, as well as the history and sociological impact of the potato in Ireland. (First Broadcast 1984) See o ... Show More
43m 55s
Jul 2021
How One Guy Made Europe Fall In Love With Potatoes
Today, the humble potato can be found in restaurants and dinner tables across the world -- but this wasn't always the case. In today's episode, Ben and Noel dive into the story of one spud-loving, potato-proselytizing man named Antoine-Augustin Parmentier, and his ambitious life' ... Show More
1h 2m
Mar 2017
Poor Old Potato
In its time, the potato has been called the root of filth, misery and obesity - but is it fair to call it the 'food of the poor'? In the first episode of a two-part series, The Food Chain goes to the very roots of the world's most popular vegetable, digging up some new perspectiv ... Show More
26m 28s
Mar 2017
One Potato More
In our second and final episode on the humble spud, we meet the people who see the global economic future as being potato powered. The potato is the world's most produced staple food after rice, wheat and corn - yet historically, it was seen as the root of filth, misery and obesi ... Show More
26m 29s
Nov 2021
The Irish famine: everything you wanted to know
Christine Kinealy answers listener questions on the devastating famine that struck Ireland in the mid-19th century Christine Kinealy answers listener questions on the causes and consequences of the devastating famine that struck Ireland in the mid-19th century. Speaking to Ellie ... Show More
56m 28s