irishpapermoney.com

The Great Famine also referred to as “The Great Hunger” lasted between 1845 and 1849 and was a major disaster for the Irish Nation. Repeated failure of the potato crop set in train a series of terrible events leading to the death of an estimated 1 million people. Famine relief efforts involving the setting up of Soup Kitchens and use of Workhouses proved to be controversial and inadequate.

Famine Relief tokens were issued entitling those who received them to rations in the Soup Kitchens. Districts issued their own tokens so different types have been seen. Few of these tokens survive and all are rare. Here are examples printed by A.Thorn, Dublin, for various ration amounts from ½ to 5.

Here is a Famine Relief token for One Quart (of Soup) at Harpur’s Lane in Cork City. The Cork Relief Committee was officially established in April 1846 and set up a number of Soup Kitchens throughout Cork to feed the large influx of rural migrants. The following link provides some excellent background about the Famine years in Cork.

corkheritage.ie/?page_id=7179

With the inclusion of the vignette in the above token and the arms in the Ration tokens, they were quite well printed.

Here is another Famine Relief Token of more basic design issued by the Portlaw Relief District (Co. Waterford).