Why Ireland Has Fewer People Than 200 Years Ago
Ireland, despite its small population, has a strong economy. However, its population is smaller today than it was 200 years ago, unlike most other countries. This is mainly due to the Great Famine in the 1840s, caused by a potato blight and made worse by British policies. The famine led to over a million deaths and forced more than two million people to leave the country, mostly for the United States. This significant loss of people also affected the Irish language and led to continued emigration for over a century. Only recently has Ireland's population started to grow again, and its economy is now one of the fastest-growing in Europe, with a high GDP per person.
Key Vocabulary
Relating to nutrition; providing the necessary substances for growth, health, and good condition.
Examples:
- The new school lunch program aims to provide nutritionally balanced meals for all students.
- While fast food can be convenient, it is often not very nutritionally dense.
- The athlete's diet was carefully planned to be nutritionally optimal for peak performance.
Very small, independent sovereign states, typically with a tiny land area or population.
Examples:
- Vatican City is one of the world's smallest microstates.
- Despite their size, microstates often play a role in international diplomacy.
- Many tourists enjoy visiting European microstates like Andorra and Liechtenstein.
Happened or occurred afterward or as a result of something else.
Examples:
- After the unexpected announcement, a period of intense speculation ensued among the public.
- A sudden downpour ensued shortly after the picnic began, forcing everyone indoors.
- When the power went out, a moment of silence ensued before people started looking for flashlights.
Left one's own country in order to settle permanently in another.
Examples:
- Many families emigrated from Europe to the Americas in search of a better life during the 19th century.
- She emigrated to Canada after finishing her studies, seeking new career opportunities.
- His grandparents emigrated from their homeland during a period of political unrest.
Mass departures of people, especially emigrants.
Examples:
- The severe drought led to large-scale exoduses from the affected regions.
- Historical records describe several significant exoduses of populations due to conflict.
- The economic downturn triggered a series of exoduses from the city to more affordable areas.
Describing or prophesying the complete destruction of the world; resembling the end of the world; momentous or catastrophic.
Examples:
- The film depicted an apocalyptic future where cities lay in ruins.
- The storm's intensity created an almost apocalyptic scene, with trees falling and widespread damage.
- The news report painted an apocalyptic picture of the environmental crisis.
Made poor; reduced to poverty.
Examples:
- The war left many regions impoverished and struggling to rebuild.
- Years of neglect had left the once-thriving community impoverished.
- The family's efforts to start a new business were hampered by their already impoverished state.
A plant disease, especially one caused by fungi, that causes wilting and death; something that impairs or destroys.
Examples:
- A sudden blight destroyed the entire potato crop that year.
- Urban decay is often referred to as a blight on the city's landscape.
- The scandal cast a blight on the politician's otherwise distinguished career.
Became more intense, stronger, or more extreme.
Examples:
- The competition among the companies intensified as the market shrank.
- As the deadline approached, the pressure on the team intensified significantly.
- The debate over the new policy intensified with each passing day.
A small amount; a little bit.
Examples:
- The soup needs just a tad more salt to bring out the flavors.
- I'm feeling a tad tired after that long hike.
- Could you move the painting up a tad? It looks a bit low.
Small images, especially digital ones, that represent a larger image or video, used for quick browsing or previewing.
Examples:
- The photo gallery displayed all the images as small thumbnails.
- Before uploading the video, I designed a catchy thumbnail to attract viewers.
- Clicking on the thumbnail will open the full-sized document.
Lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things, or being unable to use the food that one does eat.
Examples:
- Children in the war-torn region suffered from severe malnutrition.
- Poor dietary habits can lead to malnutrition even in areas with abundant food.
- The doctor explained that iron deficiency is a common form of malnutrition.
Extremely large.
Examples:
- The company reported a whopping profit of $10 million this quarter.
- He caught a whopping fish that weighed over fifty pounds.
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In a way that gives rise to public disagreement; in a manner that causes controversy.
Examples:
- The artist controversially displayed a piece that challenged traditional norms.
- The new zoning law was controversially passed despite widespread public opposition.
- She controversially argued that the old system was more efficient than the new one.
People who founded a company or organization together with one or more others.
Examples:
- The cofounders of the tech startup met while studying at university.
- As cofounders, they shared both the risks and the rewards of their venture.
- The success of the charity was largely due to the vision and hard work of its cofounders.
One's family or ethnic descent; the origin or background of something.
Examples:
- She traced her ancestry back several generations to a small village in Europe.
- Many people are interested in learning about their genetic ancestry.
- The dog's ancestry suggests it is a mix of several different breeds.
To walk with a limp; to impede or hinder the progress of something.
Examples:
- The injured player had to hobble off the field, unable to continue the game.
- Lack of funding can hobble even the most promising research projects.
- The new regulations are expected to hobble the growth of small businesses.
A cloud of gas and dust in outer space, visible in the night sky either as an indistinct bright patch or as a dark silhouette against other luminous matter.
Examples:
- The Orion Nebula is a famous example of a stellar nursery where new stars are born.
- Through the telescope, we could observe the swirling colors of the distant nebula.
- Scientists study the composition of nebulae to understand the early universe.
In advance; in anticipation; at an earlier time.
Examples:
- You should prepare your presentation slides beforehand to avoid any last-minute rush.
- The guests arrived an hour beforehand, eager for the party to start.
- It's always a good idea to check the weather forecast beforehand if you're planning an outdoor event.
To fall or drop straight down at high speed; to decrease rapidly in value or amount.
Examples:
- The stock market saw prices plummet after the unexpected announcement.
- The bird watched its prey plummet to the ground from a great height.
- After the scandal, the company's reputation began to plummet.