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RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
Famine did not stunt height in worst-hit areas
Areas hardest hit by the Irish Famine did not experience an expected stunting in height of the population, new academic research has found. The research from Queen's University Belfast and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh has examined the impact of one of the defining events in Irish history. It found that in some regions, the survivors' average adult height was comparable to, or even slightly greater than, that of individuals born before or after the famine. Around one million people died from starvation or disease in the Famine from 1845 to 1852. A stunting of height is usually associated with malnutrition and disease. The study used the historical data of 14,500 individuals with different exposures to famine conditions and drawn from two prisons in Dublin and Tipperary, born before, during and after the Famine. The findings have been published in Economic History Review, coinciding with the 180th anniversary of the beginning of the Famine, also known as An Gorta Mór in Irish. The study revealed that individuals born during the Famine exhibited reduced health outcomes. This effect dominated in areas with low famine mortality, such as Dublin. It also showed that those who survived the Famine were, on average, the taller, more robust individuals Areas most affected by the Famine, such as in Tipperary, saw an increase in average societal health for survivors. Dr Chris Colvin from Queen's University Belfast's Business School said: "Individuals born in severely affected regions such as Tipperary exhibited no evidence of stunted growth, indicating that the famine disproportionately eliminated the most vulnerable. "In contrast, stunting is observed only in areas with lower excess mortality such as Dublin, where selective pressures were weaker. "With the weakest in society succumbing to disease and starvation, this left only the healthiest to survive into adulthood. "They grew up to be significantly taller than average." Professor Eoin McLaughlin, from Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University, said: "This research reshapes how we understand the long-term effects of humanitarian disasters like famines. "By distinguishing between scarring (lasting damage to survivors' health) and selective mortality, it challenges simple assumptions that crises always leave a uniformly weakened population." Dr Matthias Blum, honorary professor of practice at Queen's Business School and economist at the German Medical Association, said: "The work deepens public and academic understanding of how the Great Irish Famine shaped the Irish population - not just in terms of death and emigration, but in the long-term health legacy it left behind." Dr Colvin added: "These findings contribute to debates on the biological consequences of extreme catastrophic risks, demonstrating how selection effects can obscure long-term health deterioration."
Irish Independent
12-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
The Kerry baby born on a famine ship and his American great granddaughter
Baby Nicholas was born on the Jennie Johnston during its maiden voyage in 1848 Meghan Fiero Reilly from Connecticut in the USA keeps a coffee mug on her work desk with the replica famine ship Jennie Johnston engraved on its side. She is reminded everyday – not that she needs it – of her family's emigration story from Kerry to Canada in 1848 during the darkest days of the Irish potato famine – An Gorta Mór.
The Journal
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
President highlights 'forced starvation' in Gaza in speech during commemoration of the Famine
PRESIDENT MICHAEL D HIGGINS highlighted the 'forced starvation' being endured by the people of Gaza in remarks made at the National Famine Commemoration in Kilmallock, Co Limerick today. Higgins was the keynote speaker at the commemoration today. In his lengthy speech, he discussed the detrimental impact that the Great Famine – or An Gorta Mór – and how as a result, the Irish language and population were decimated. 'No other event in our history can be likened to the Great Famine, either for its immediate, tragic impact, or its legacy of involuntary emigration, cultural loss, increased decline of the Irish language, and demoralisation,' he said. In Gaza, at least 100 people were killed in the latest wave of airstrikes, Gaza's civil defence agency said. Advertisement Israel has enforced a total blockade on Gaza since 2 March, blocking food, fuel and water. On Monday, a UN-backed report warned that one in five people in Gaza now face starvation. National Demonstration for Palestine today in Dublin city. Sasko Lazarov / © Sasko Lazarov / © / © Higgins then spoke further on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He said that having given the keynote address at the event on six occasions, he today spoke in his final time as president. 'Doing so presents me with the greatest difficulties. Famine is a horrific reality in so many parts of the world, repeated again and again, accepted with indifference. It is a great human failure. 'We are now also seeing starvation being used as an instrument of war. As peoples in countries such as Yemen and Sudan suffer hunger and famine created by conflict, so many additional deaths are caused by blockages to food and medical aid. The consequences of a forced starvation in Gaza are daily on our television screens. 'In relation to Gaza, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres stated recently: 'As aid dries up, the floodgates of horror have re-opened. […] Gaza is a killing field – and civilians are in an endless death loop'. Related Reads Amnesty accuses Israel of 'live-streamed genocide' against Gazans People in positions of power must 'break their silence' and appeal for Gaza ceasefire, Higgins says 'The Secretary General went on to draw the world's attention to the Fourth Geneva Convention, which outlines the duty of Occupying Powers to ensure food and medical supplies for the population, as well as ensuring and maintaining medical and hospital establishments and services, public health and hygiene.' Higgins criticised the Israeli blockade that is stopping humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. 'Hunger and displacement are among the greatest challenges facing the world. At their root, of course, is the impact of climate change, which is contributing not only to immediate conditions of famine, but also to the ability of breaking a limiting food dependence in the future.' During Higgins's visit to the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis, the president had similarly highlighted the ongoing crisis within Gaza and issued heavy criticism of Israel's actions. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
President Higgins says UN Security Council failing as Gaza suffers ‘forced starvation'; thousands march in Dublin protest
Speaking at the National Famine Commemoration in Kilmallock, Co Limerick, today, Mr Higgins said starvation is 'being used as an instrument of war' and that the population of Gaza is being subjected to 'forced starvation'. He quoted UN Secretary General António Guterres, who said: 'As aid dries up, the floodgates of horror have re-opened... Gaza is a killing field – and civilians are in an endless death loop.' He said the Irish Government is asking EU member states to work to avoid what will be 'a massive loss of life' in Gaza. He added that aid trucks carrying vital food, medicine and water are currently blocked at 'three entry points to Gaza', including two Irish aid trucks. This comes as thousands of people marched in the streets of Dublin this afternoon to call for action against the Israeli bombing of Gaza by the Irish government. The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign organised the 'end the genocide' rally in Dublin and called for sanctions against Israel. During his speech, Mr Higgins called on the UN General Assembly to act when the Security Council 'fails' to deal with current famines. 'When the Security Council fails us as it does again and again, in responding to what I have been describing as the current conditions, we must return to the exceptional measures that are available to us that I remember discussing at the time of the Iraq war, that are available from the General Assembly,' he said. "The General Assembly must speak and act if in fact the Security Council refuses to deal with the terrible famines that are now facing us in those parts of the world." Speaking at the event in Co Limerick, Mr Higgins said the recurrence of famine is 'a great human failure' as he said people in Yemen and Sudan also suffer 'hunger and famine created by conflict'. He said the collapse humanitarian aid and assistance has left a significantly reduced humanitarian capacity. He said the Horn of Africa has experienced 'devastating hunger' three times in three decades, adding; 'On each occasion, the world said 'never again' when details of the famine were reported to the United Nations. Yet, each time, famine has returned.' He said the world is 'witnessing dangerous breaches and challenges to human rights around the world – be it in the plight of those enduring the horrific consequences of avoidable war and conflict, including food insecurity, the reappearance of old hatreds and the arrival of new forms of the scourges of hatred, racism and intolerance'. Mr Higgins said National Famine Commemoration Day is a 'a solemn opportunity for the people of this island to reflect on and recall those who perished, the suffering and loss experienced by our Irish people in that cataclysmic period in our history to which we refer to as An Gorta Mór'. "No other event in our history can be likened to the Great Famine for its immediate tragic impact, or its role in creating a massive increase in desperate and involuntary emigration, cultural loss, increased decline of the Irish language, and a general demoralisation of Irish shared life,' he said. Over one million people died during the famine and over two million emigrated between 1845 and 1852, with a commemoration event today featuring a wreath-laying ceremony and other tributes to those who died.
Irish Independent
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
President Michael D Higgins says UN Security Council failing ‘again and again' as Gaza suffers ‘forced starvation'
Speaking at the National Famine Commemoration in Kilmallock, Co Limerick, today, Mr Higgins said starvation is 'being used as an instrument of war' and that the population of Gaza is being subjected to 'forced starvation'. He quoted UN Secretary General António Guterres, who said: 'As aid dries up, the floodgates of horror have re-opened... Gaza is a killing field – and civilians are in an endless death loop.' He said the Irish Government is asking EU member states to work to avoid what will be 'a massive loss of life' in Gaza. He added that aid trucks carrying vital food, medicine and water are currently blocked at 'three entry points to Gaza', including two Irish aid trucks. During his speech, Mr Higgins called on the UN General Assembly to act when the Security Council 'fails' to deal with current famines. 'When the Security Council fails us as it does again and again, in responding to what I have been describing as the current conditions, we must return to the exceptional measures that are available to us that I remember discussing at the time of the Iraq war, that are available from the General Assembly,' he said. "The General Assembly must speak and act if in fact the Security Council refuses to deal with the terrible famines that are now facing us in those parts of the world." Speaking at the event in Co Limerick, Mr Higgins said the recurrence of famine is 'a great human failure' as he said people in Yemen and Sudan also suffer 'hunger and famine created by conflict'. He said the collapse humanitarian aid and assistance has left a significantly reduced humanitarian capacity. He said the Horn of Africa has experienced 'devastating hunger' three times in three decades, adding; 'On each occasion, the world said 'never again' when details of the famine were reported to the United Nations. Yet, each time, famine has returned.' ADVERTISEMENT He said the world is 'witnessing dangerous breaches and challenges to human rights around the world – be it in the plight of those enduring the horrific consequences of avoidable war and conflict, including food insecurity, the reappearance of old hatreds and the arrival of new forms of the scourges of hatred, racism and intolerance'. Mr Higgins said National Famine Commemoration Day is a 'a solemn opportunity for the people of this island to reflect on and recall those who perished, the suffering and loss experienced by our Irish people in that cataclysmic period in our history to which we refer to as An Gorta Mór'. "No other event in our history can be likened to the Great Famine for its immediate tragic impact, or its role in creating a massive increase in desperate and involuntary emigration, cultural loss, increased decline of the Irish language, and a general demoralisation of Irish shared life,' he said. Over one million people died during the famine and over two million emigrated between 1845 and 1852, with a commemoration event today featuring a wreath-laying ceremony and other tributes to those who died.
