Above is a video that helps to portray the devastation brought to Ireland by the Potato Famine. The Famine affected almost everyone in Ireland no matter how much money they had or where they lived. In Gracelin O'Malley, the potato family affected the wealthy Squire as well as the people of the town who already lived in poverty, as well as her family back on the farm.

The Great Famine link above takes you to a website that explains the potato famine from the earliest parts until the emigration of most Irish to the United States when they realized that the country showed no signs of heading in a positive direction. Since most of the country depended on the potato crop in one way or another, it was devastating to the entire country when the potatoes turned to rot. The poorest of the country needed the potato to feed their family. The middle class harvested the potato and sold it, but kept enough for their family to survive on and maybe sell a small amount. The higher class, included the landlords, Squires, and Lords needed the potato to harvest, but also because without potatoes the tenants on their land could not pay them. The Squires' tenants had no source of income and therefore could not pay their landlords. This resulted in them getting kicked off of the land into the streets where most of them ended up starving to death. Then the landlords faced the problem of having no farm workers to tend to the fields. In Gracelin O'Malley her family was faced with the problems that came along with the potato famine as well. The family was running out of food, but there were also neighbors coming to their door in search for a handout. They also had no crop to sell and therefore no money. The Squire dealt with problems of his own as well because his tenants could not pay because they could not sell any potatoes. Many of them died or were sent into the streets leaving no one to tend for the land.

In Gracelin's life, things have begun to make a turn for the worst. One morning they awoke to screams and cries in the fields. It turned out that the potatoes had all turned to rot. Due to these problems Gracelin's husband, the Squire of the lands and collecter of the dues, began to drink. One night he became the man that the town had heard stories about. He turned into a person Gracelin had never seen before. He beat her in his rage and forced her to give birth to a premature son that eventually died. Since the son was one of two children Gracelin gave birth to the other daughter survived. The Squire was not happy that he now only had a daughter because there was no one to be the heir to his title. While the famine got worse once again Gracelin got more and more pregnant. There were people starving and dying all across town. They began to come to Grace for assistance. She gave them soup and a temporary shelter while her husband was away. The backyard began to fill with people. When her husband returned home he was furious to see all of the people in his yard, on his property, and eating his food. He was so overcome with anger that he beat her again, but this time almost to death. He had planned to lock her in her room until she gave birth to their son but she had help to sneak her out of the house and return her to her own family. After a shortwhile, she learned that because of this beating, she had also lost his second son,

I am really dissapointed that the Squire turned out to be the awful cold-hearted man that was only meantioned in rumors. In the beginning of their marrigae they were both so hopeful including himself. He seemed like the perfect man on the outside, but something within him contained something different entirely. He not only was mean to her but he beat her almost to death and attempted to keep her locked in her room. He almost killed her, and even killed their two sons. The potato famine is also a very upsetting occurance. It has greatly effected the entire nation and even killed almost one-third of the population.

I was suprised and excited to hear that Sean, Gracelin's brother ahd become part of the "Young Irelanders" which is a group of boys that have banned together in an attempt to bring down the British rule in Ireland. They are fighting for all of their people and are a big contributers to the future of Ireland. Morgan, a long time friend of Gracelin and Sean was also part of the Young Irelanders. He has become one of the most powerful people in the entire group. He has put his leadership qualities to great use and is making a difference in regards to Ireland's freedom.