Empire 236. The Great Famine: The Blight Strikes Ireland (Ep 1)
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Mar 11, 2025 Colm Tóibín, a renowned writer and historian known for his works like Brooklyn, dives deep into the Great Famine's lasting impact on Irish identity. He discusses how the potato blight devastated families, leading to mass starvation and evictions. Tóibín highlights the neglect from British authorities, particularly Charles Trevelyan's misguided policies, and the moral dilemmas faced during this crisis. The conversation also touches on how this tragic event shaped nationalism and cultural memory in Ireland, influencing literature and societal narratives.
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Irish Identity and the Famine
- Many Irish people claim to be deeply affected by the famine, even today.
- Tóibín challenges this victimhood narrative, noting that many people survived and even prospered.
Famine's Absence in Academia
- Tóibín's interest in the famine stemmed from its absence in his history curriculum at University College Dublin.
- Irish history professors focused on parliamentary history rather than the famine's social impact.
Enniscorthy Cathedral: A Symbol of Disparity
- Tóibín recounts how the Enniscorthy cathedral, built during the famine, was funded by the Catholic middle class who didn't suffer.
- This illustrates that the famine's impact wasn't uniform; some groups prospered while others starved.
