Famine walls were built throughout Ireland, especially in the west and south, in the mid-19th century, during the Great Famine. A great deal of these walls were built in Catholic communities in the north. The walls were built as famine-relief works projects, sponsored by landlords and churches to provide work and income for unemployed peasants.
Many of the walls served little practical purpose other than giving work to the poor and clearing the land of stones. The stones were collected from nearby fields and mountains. However, one particularly important use of the famine walls was to establish and divide the properties of farmers and locals.
The walls are generally around 8âÂÂ10 feet high and 300 yards long. Along some of the walls are periodic holes built in to the structures, which records say were a way for two parties to stand on opposite sides of the wall and touch fingers through a hole, signifying making an agreement or contract.
Building these famine walls was incredibly demanding work. Due to the ongoing famine, some passed away while working.
Men and women alike were hired to build these structures, but were paid differently despite doing the same work. Additionally, young boys over the age of ten were hired. Men, who earned 10 pence, were paid more than women and children, who earned 4 pence, for 10 hours of work. Furthermore, each, regardless of age or gender, received one meal every 14 days for their work.