More Heroes of Ireland's Great Hunger

The heroics and humanitarian contributions of those who came to the aid of their fellow men and women during the Great Hunger of 1845 and 1852 have been largely ignored and forgotten until recently. This volume follows on from the collection of essays on Famine Heroes and shows that there were many who were on the front line in coming to the assistance of their fellow man during this period of large-scale emigration, starvation, and death.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 02 September 2022
Publisher: Quinnipiac University Press

The heroics and humanitarian contributions of those who came to the aid of their fellow men and women during the Great Hunger of 1845 and 1852 have been largely ignored and forgotten until recently. Many of the neglected heroes were prepared to put their lives on the line and, in a number of instances, suffered permanent health damage in coming to the aid of the starving and diseased. They include landlords, poets, clergymen, and philanthropists. This volume follows on from the collection of essays on Famine Heroes and shows that there were many who were on the front line in coming to the assistance of their fellow man during this period of large-scale emigration, starvation, and death. At a time when the world continues to deal with the horrors and legacies of the COVID pandemic, with many front-line workers putting their lives at risk, the heroics of those who gave their time, energy, and resources—and lives—during the calamity of the Great Hunger are recorded and acknowledged in this collection.

This edited collection is a follow-up to Heroes of Ireland's Great Hunger (2021). It includes essays by leading scholars and experts on the subject, as well as personal accounts from those who lived through the famine. The volume explores the various ways in which individuals and communities responded to the crisis, from providing food and shelter to organizing relief efforts and advocating for government intervention. It also examines the long-term impacts of the famine on Irish society, including the displacement of millions of people, the breakdown of traditional ways of life, and the emergence of new political and social movements.

One of the key themes of the collection is the resilience and determination of the Irish people in the face of extreme adversity. Despite the overwhelming odds, many individuals and communities refused to give up hope and worked tirelessly to support their fellow citizens. This included landlords who rented out their land to starving families, poets who wrote about the famine and its impact, clergymen who provided spiritual and moral support, and philanthropists who donated money and resources to relief efforts.

Another theme of the collection is the international response to the famine. While the British government initially tried to ignore the crisis, it eventually recognized the need for intervention and provided financial and humanitarian aid to Ireland. However, this aid was often slow and inadequate, and it did little to address the root causes of the famine, such as the failure of the Irish potato crop and the policies of the British government.

The collection also highlights the role of women in the famine. While women were often marginalized and excluded from traditional roles of power and influence, they played a critical role in providing food and care for their families and communities. This included women who worked as nurses, cooks, and caretakers, as well as women who organized relief efforts and advocated for government intervention.

Overall, this collection provides a valuable insight into the heroics and humanitarian contributions of those who came to the aid of their fellow men and women during the Great Hunger of 1845 and 1852. It serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination of the Irish people in the face of extreme adversity and the importance of acknowledging and remembering the legacy of the famine. It also highlights the need for continued efforts to address the root causes of poverty and inequality and to work towards a more just and equitable world.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 227 x 179 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781736171219