Abstract
This document will analyze the Potato Famine that took place in Ireland between 1845 and 1850. It is referred to as one of the biggest disasters Ireland has faced. The Irish diet, before the introduction of the potato in the late 1500's, was based on animal products, which Ireland traditionally produced in great quantities. Beef, milk, butter and butter-milk constituted the Irish diet. In the late 1700's Irish population began to explode. Young people were encouraged to marry early, girls commonly married at 16 and boys at 17 or 18.
