Letter: The truth about the Irish potato famine could help peace
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.CAL McCrystal referred to the role played by absentee landlords. During the potato famine, my late wife's maternal grandfather, "honest" Trestram Kennedy, was the land agent for the absentee landlord, the young Marquis of Bath. Kennedy refused to evict the tenants who could not pay their rent and was dismissed. Kennedy went on to take a great interest in the reform of tenancy law and in 1852, with the support of the Catholic clergy, fought the general election in Co Louth on the issue of tenant rights - and won.
At the age of 63, Kennedy did not contest the 1868 general election but his friend Chichester Fortescue then entered Gladstone's first cabinet and later became Lord Privy Seal.
Kennedy had organised relief works and his older brother, John Pitt Kennedy, was appointed in 1845 as Secretary of the Relief Commission by Sir Robert Peel.
Stanley Grant
Letchworth, Herts
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments