Junior Cycle · Junior Cycle History
Junior Cycle History: Great Famine and emigration
How often Great Famine and emigration comes up on the History papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.
CL Asked on 3 of the last 5 Common Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years
Quick ones on Great Famine and emigration.
- Potatoes were Ireland's main export
- Millions relied on it as their main food
- Landlords only took rent in potatoes
- A ship carrying emigrants to Canada
- A soup kitchen run by the Quakers
- Renting land for one growing season
- Only potatoes could feed a family on tiny plots
- Potatoes grew best on very large farms
- Landlords banned tenants from growing grain crops
Show the answers
(a) Millions relied on it as their main food
(b) Renting land for one growing season
(c) Only potatoes could feed a family on tiny plots
Common Level
Asked on 3 of the last 5 Common Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years
Every paper, year by year
| Year | Where it came up |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Not asked |
| 2025 | Q5 |
| 2024 | Not asked |
| 2023 | Q3 |
| 2022 | Q5 |
Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.
More Great Famine and emigration questions
Great Famine and emigration, 2 marks
What happened to families who entered a workhouse during the Famine?
- They were given free land to farm
- They were paid wages in gold coins
- They were split up by age and sex
Show the answer
They were split up by age and sex
Workhouses were meant to be harsh so only the desperate entered. Families were separated, food was basic, and fever spread in overcrowded wards.
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