The Famine in Victorian Belfast

"A letter from Carlough" from the podcast SINGLE MALT HISTORY WITH GARETH RUSSELL, Season 4, Episode 1
(Image: Murlough Beach, Co. Down, photographed Gareth Russell, 21 February 2023)
In 1845, a letter arrived in Belfast from the town of Carnlough. Something was wrong with the potato crop and the local farmers were worried. Around the same time, similar letters were making their way from farming communities all over Ireland. Five years later, one million Irish people were dead.
In this extract from my podcast episode ‘Nine Tales from Victorian Belfast,’ I explore what happened and I’m joined by the extraordinary musician Emily-Rose, for a special performance of the Irish refrain ‘The Fields of Athenry’.
Eyewitness testimonies from the time are read by actors
Ashley Montgomery as Maggie McKinley
Cáilum Carragher as John Martin, a Member of Parliament from Newry
Danny Cunningham as Young Irelander John Mitchel
Colm Doran as The Northern Whig journalist
Paul Storrs as editor of The Belfast Vindicator