The Great Famine in Ireland occurred from 1845 to 1852. This devastating period was primarily caused by a potato blight, known scientifically as Phytophthora infestans, which led to widespread crop failures. As potatoes were a staple food for the majority of the Irish population, the blight resulted in mass starvation, disease, and significant social upheaval. Approximately one million people died as a consequence, while another million emigrated, drastically reducing Ireland's population. The famine also exposed the inadequacies of the British government’s response, amplifying resentment and discontent with British rule, and leading to lasting changes in Irish society and politics.