Tracing the Irish Famine Diaspora through Archaeology

Canadian Archaeological Association (CAA) Conference, 2025
Katherine Hull

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 archaeologyβ€”revealing the lives of those who were ignored or erased by history.