Black ’47: famine mortality and emigration peak; Irish diaspora accelerates
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The Peak of the Famine
The year 1847, known as 'Black ’47', marked the peak of the Great Irish Famine. This was a period of mass starvation, disease, and emigration in Ireland. The potato blight that had struck in 1845 had by now devastated the Irish population, with mortality rates reaching their highest.
Emigration
The famine also led to a significant increase in emigration, with many Irish people leaving their homeland in search of a better life. This marked the beginning of the Irish diaspora, with Irish communities forming in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
| Year | Population | Emigrants |
|---|---|---|
| 1845 | 8.2 million | 50,000 |
| 1847 | 6.6 million | 250,000 |
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