In 1740, the Great Irish Famine, caused by a massive agricultural collapse known as the 'Great Frost,' led to widespread starvation and the death of hundreds of thousands of Irish citizens. This catastrophic event highlighted the vulnerabilities of agrarian societies to climate change and poor agricultural practices. The famine had lasting social and political repercussions, contributing to the rise of Irish nationalism and calls for reform.

The Great Irish Famine of the 18th century produced a rich corpus of mournful Gaelic folk poetry. This body of work preserved the cultural memory of the famine, contrasting with later Victorian depictions and highlighting the emotional and social impact of the tragedy.