estimates are that around one million people, about 12% of the population, died in the three years from 1846 to 1849.

Most of these deaths were the result of famine-related diseases rather than starvation. Another one million people are estimated to have fled as refugees to Great Britain, the United States, Canada and Australia

The population of Ireland continued to fall for 70 years, stabilising at half the level prior to the famine. This long-term decline ended in the west of the country only in 2006,

Ireland was, even during the famine, a net exporter of food.

Irish exports of calves, livestock (except pigs), bacon and ham actually increased during the famine. The food was shipped under guard

Irish meteorologist Austin Bourke

"it is beyond question that the deficiency arising from the loss of the potato crop in 1846 could not have been met by the simple expedient of prohibiting the export of grain from Ireland