Introduction.

In Ireland long ago Potatoes were the main food of the people . In 1845 disaster struck , a disease called Blight spread through the countryside . This led to famine .The parish worst affected by the famine was probably Annaduff. Annaduff``s population fell by 49% and 1/3 of the crop was lost. And over ½ of the crop was lost in Drumsna.

Population.

Here is a chart of the population in Annaduff.

Chart .

Emigration.

After the Famine over 1,300 people were lost . About 300 of these people emigrated to England or America. A small group of these people went to other parts of Ireland working on the roads.The Roads was the only means of work during the Famine. Lord Leitrim forced the people from the Mohill area to work on the roads of Ballinmore , Drumshambo, and Kiltoghert. If they did not do so the Land Lord would come and evict them from their Home's. Relief Work. Rev George Shaw Gave a clothing grant and 1 ton of Indian Meal to Annaduff Parish. And George Thomas gave 1 ton of Indian meal and 1 ton of Barely meal to Annaduff Parish. Francis Nesbit gave £20 to Derrycarne in Dromod.

Eviction

Some of the people who were: Wille Morris and Family whose clothes were dumped in a Field. Mary Rourke who was evicted from her farm and Michael Mc Hugh who was also evicted from his farm.

Soup Kitchens

There was a big soup Kitchen set up in Annaduff Glebe and there was a big soup pot in Lavagh.

After the Famine

After the Famine there was an outbreak of Potato blight in Drumsna in August 1879. There was also very bad floods and over 2,000 cocks of hay was lost.