The potato is not indigenous to Ireland; it was introduced to the country in 1590, and grew in importance as more and more people there began to plant the crop. By the 18th century, it had become a staple, and was perhaps the most important crop for poor and workingclass Irish people. Then, in mid-1845, Ireland's small population of around 8,5 million people suffered a catastrophe when potato blight (Phytophthora infest arts) began to spread throughout the country.
This initial infestation saw Ireland lose around half of its national potato crop, and about three-quarters of the crop was lost every year
