Charity and the Great Hunger in Ireland

Charity and the Great Hunger in Ireland examines the international relief efforts during the Irish Famine of 1845-1852. The work analyzes donations and support that came from various countries, religious groups, and individuals during this crisis. The book documents contributions from Native American tribes, British Quakers, slave churches in the American South, and donors from locations as distant as India and Australia. Through extensive archival research, Kinealy presents previously unpublished records of charitable activities and the complex networks that facilitated aid distribution. The narrative tracks the evolution of relief efforts over the multi-year crisis, revealing the political and social dynamics that influenced how aid was given and received. Religious organizations, private citizens, and government bodies each played distinct roles in the philanthropic response. This work raises fundamental questions about the nature of charity, the responsibilities of governments, and the intersection of humanitarian aid with politics and power. The examination of international philanthropy during the Irish Famine provides insights into modern disaster relief and global humanitarian responses.

Readers value this book's deep research into charitable responses during the Irish Famine, with many noting the extensive use of primary sources and documentation. Several reviewers highlight how the book reveals lesser-known charitable efforts from different religious and ethnic groups. Positive points: - Documents international relief efforts beyond Britain - Exposes bureaucratic failures in aid distribution - Shows complexity of charitable responses - Clear presentation of financial data and statistics Criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Repetitive in sections - Limited coverage of local Irish perspectives - High price point for hardcover edition Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (17 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (6 ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (4 ratings) One academic reviewer noted: "Breaks new ground in understanding the global response to the Famine." A general reader commented: "Important information but challenging to read through all the statistical details."

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Atlas of the Great Irish Famine by John Crowley, William J. Smyth, and Mike Murphy The book presents maps, photographs, and documents that track the geographical spread of the famine and its impact on different regions of Ireland.

Black '47 and Beyond: The Great Irish Famine in History, Economy, and Memory by Christine Kinealy The text analyzes the British government's response to the famine and explores the role of relief organizations through archival records.

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Ireland's Great Famine in Irish-American History by Mary Kelly This study traces the impact of the Great Famine on Irish migration to America and the development of Irish-American communities.

🍀 Though Ireland was exporting food during the Great Famine, private charity from around the world, including from Native American Choctaw people who donated $170 (equivalent to thousands today), helped save countless lives. 📚 Author Christine Kinealy is considered one of the leading historians of the Irish Famine, and her groundbreaking 1994 book "This Great Calamity" challenged many previously held beliefs about the period. 🌎 The book reveals that donations came from unexpected places, including Turkey's Sultan Abdülmecid I, who initially offered £10,000 but was persuaded by British diplomats to reduce it to £1,000 to avoid embarrassing Queen Victoria's smaller donation. 💌 Personal letters and documents uncovered in the research show that many Jewish communities worldwide organized significant relief efforts, despite facing their own persecution and hardships at the time. 🏥 The research demonstrates that Calcutta, India - itself under British colonial rule - became one of the largest single donors to Irish famine relief, contributing more than £14,000, despite its own poverty and struggles.