Irish Famine + Ardkeen Relief Committee, 1847

The Irish Famine (1845-1850) had a devastating effect on the whole of Ireland. It is estimated that a million people died as a result of disease and starvation while another two million people emigrated. The History Cooperative's article Irish Famine provides a comprehensive explanation of what caused the famine and the long term effects.

The Ards fared better than much of Ireland but hunger, disease and emigration still had a significant impact on the area. Brian Bailie's writing on the Great Famine and it's toll on the area around Kircubbin is very informative.

The Temporary Relief Act (also known as the Soup Kitchen Act) was passed in February 1847. The Act allowed the establishment of soup kitchens in Ireland to relieve pressure from the overstretched Poor Law system, which could not adequately feed people.  

The Famine Relief Commission Papers, 1845-1847, which are archived at the National Archives of Ireland in Dublin, detail local efforts during this time period. These letters and other documents came from members of local relief committees, lieutenants of counties, clergy, and other citizens, and they touch on a broad spectrum of issues: reports on local food prices and relief efforts, requests for funds, lists of subscribers who had (or had failed) to donate to relief funds, queries about work projects or seed corn and the names of committee members.

The following images are excerpts from the Famine Relief Commission Papers, 1845-1847, (RFLC3/2, Incoming Letters: Baronial Sub-series) which document the subscribers to the Ardkeen Soup Kitchen on March 27, 1847. You will note many local family names including McMaster, Young, McCormick, Coulter, Echlin, Donan, Bailie and Savage. 

Ardkeen Soup Kitchen (1847), page 1

Ardkeen Soup Kitchen (1847), page 2

Ardkeen Soup Kitchen (1847), page 3

Ardkeen Soup Kitchen (1847), page 4

Ardkeen Soup Kitchen (1847), page 5