Introduction. By the end of 1847 the British public were growing tired of the seemingly endless requests for aid for Ireland. but the second raised only £30,167. In fact, the second letter was widely censured in Britain, and these criticisms indicated a hardening in public attitudes towards the giving of private relief to Ireland. Detailed below are also accounts of the efforts of women in several counties to aid famine victims. Reproduced below is one of many letters from the British public printed in the Times.

Source. The Times (London) 19 October 1847.

A wise Providence has put a check upon the brute creation to prevent an excessive increase, but man has been left to be guided by reason. These Irish, however, seem to have none; nothing but a mere brute instinct and appetite totally unguided by reason or foresight. What commiseration can we have for these people, and why should we be called on to support them? To do so is, in effect, a premium for recklessness and improvidence.

Christine Kinealy & Tomás O’Riordan