An Bothán, the recreated Famine mud hut, is open to visit in UCC's main quadrangle from 12 May |
Such a structure would have been identified in the 1841 census as a '4th class dwelling', 'a single room cabin built of organic material', and reflects the dreadful and common conditions in which as many as two million people were living prior to the Famine. Most of the misery of the Famine occurred in mud cabins like this.
In 1841 the proportion of 4th-class houses across Ireland averaged 17% (in some small towns the proportion was nearly 30%). By 1851, the figure was below 5% (8.4% in small towns); the houses, along with their previous occupants, had all but disappeared during the Famine.
Located on the north side of the clock tower of the main quadrangle, An Bothán will be open to the public from tomorrow and during the summer.