Why were potatoes so important to Ireland? The potato plant was hardy, nutritious, calorie-dense, and easy to grow in Irish soil. By the time of the famine, nearly half of Ireland's population relied almost exclusively on potatoes for their diet, and the other half ate potatoes frequently.
How did potatoes affect Ireland?
Within a year, potato crops across France, Belgium and Holland had been affected and by late 1845 between one-third and one-half of Ireland's fields had been wiped out. The destruction continued the following year, when three-quarters of that year's harvest was destroyed and the first starvation deaths were reported.
Why did the Irish only grow potatoes?
For a long time Ireland was sparsely populated, and it was only with the discovery of potatoes that they could grow enough food to allow for significant population growth, as potatoes could grow on harsh terrain that was unsuitable for other crops such as wheat or barley.
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