Tracing the Irish Famine Diaspora through Archaeology

The Great Irish Famine of 1845-1852 was a watershed moment, not only for Ireland but also for the countries that absorbed the over 2 million famine emigrants forced to leave their homeland. These victims were often painted as a monolithic peasantry with limited agency; however, the archaeological study of the Irish Famine on both sides of the Atlantic offers a unique glimpse into the lived experiences of the individual. This presentation will use archaeological resources to build a more nuanced narrative of the Irish diaspora, from forcible evictions in 1847 to the typhus-laden St. Lawrence barges to homesteading in Canada West. Archaeological sites in County Roscommon, Kingston (Ontario), and Toronto will be used to demonstrate the most impactful strength of historical archaeology—revealing the lives of those who were ignored or erased by history.