I was born in Canada, along with most of my relatives. My great-great-great-great grandparents came to Canada during the potato famine. 

Push factors

Food shortage leading to starvation

Potatoes were the main source of food in Ireland at the time, but a disease called phytophthora infestans destroyed the potato crops, leading to mass hunger. Most land was owned by British landlords, when crops rotted they weren't able to pay rent. 

The British continued to export food making things worse for the people living there.

Mass unemployment

When potato crops failed, the farmers were no longer needed. This caused thousands of people to lose their jobs.

Around one million people died, and about one million emigrated to places in North America, Britain and Australia.

Overpopulation

Around 1840, Ireland had a population of about 8 million, one of the highest in Europe for its size. The birth rate continued to increase, with the land staying the same size causing overpopulation.

Overpopulation made things worse as small plots of land couldn't produce enough food for the amount of people living there. It also made it much harder for people to escape the country.

Pull factors

Availability of land

Canada had large plots of land for free or very cheap. People saw this as a way to become their own independent farmers.

The land ownership gave them more control over their lives, unlike Ireland where they rented from strict British landlords.

Lots of economic opportunities

Canada was a growing industry, with a need for workers especially in the farming, construction and logging industries. With lots of job opportunities, it gave people a chance to earn better money and support their families.

Canada was much more stable than Ireland at the time, Canada gave the Irish a fresh start and better living conditions through work.

Stable government and safety

Canada was part of the British Empire along with Ireland, but had a much more stable and peaceful society. There was much less violence and political conflict than Ireland.

Canada was a safe and secure place to raise a family and build a future. Immigrants were more welcomed here and were offered freedom, fairness and a fresh start.

Benefits

Many farming opportunities and better living conditions.

Canada has a lot of land for farming, and as more Irish immigrants were farmers, it will be much easier for them to find work.

Canada offered more land which caused little to no overcrowding. There was cleaner water and fresh air, and with stable jobs they had better access to food and basic needs.

Community support

Irish immigrants often settled near others from Ireland, creating strong and supportive communities. The communities would work together to help me immigrants find housing, jobs and food.

They shared language, religion and culture which made it easier to feel more at home. Community support made it easier to adjust to life in Canada

Challenges

Harsh climate and undeveloped land

Cold winters and long snow seasons made it hard for Irish immigrants to get used to, as Ireland has a much milder climate. The climate and rough land made it tough to grow food and survive the first couple years.

Housing was often basic or temporary, with few resources at first. There were few roads and services in rural areas, making travel and communication hard.

Ships to travel to Canada were overcrowded with hundreds of people packed into small places. The tight conditions and poor ventilation led to a very quick spread of diseases, like typhus, cholera and dysentery.

There were little amounts of clean water and food, weakening overall health. Families often arrived in Canada feeling sick or weak.

How my family became Canadian