Ireland. Attack on a Potatoe Store — The Galway Starvation Riots. Text and scan by Philip V. Allingham. [You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]
Under the heading "The Galway Starvation Riots, " The Illustrated London News for the week ending Saturday, 25 June, 1842, described how the desperation of the Irish poor had driven them on the 13th to attack a potato store in the town of Galway, another month remaining before the next harvest and possible alleviation of their misery, occasioned by hunger. although the attackers were led by starving women and children, at the rear of the mob were a party of formidable Claddaugh fishermen. The mob dared to attack the local sheriff accompanied by a strong force of police and members of the 30th regiment as they moved to plunder a storehouse for ground oatmeal. After their victory (owing to the fact that the troops refused to fire on women and children) the fishermen insisted that the church bells be rung and windows be illuminated in the town before they put out to sea. Similar disturbances are reported as having occurred at Loughrea.
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References
"Ireland. Attack on a Potatoe Store." The Illustrated London News. 1 (11 January 1842): 100.
Last modified 15 September 2007