In the aftermath of the Great Famine (1845–51), many of Achill’s clachan settlements evolved into migrant-based communities. During the annual potato-picking harvest season (June to October), each migrant household’s young single males or females, whose ages ranged from thirteen to twenty-three, travelled to Scotland in a ‘squad’ system under the supervision of a ‘gaffer’. ‘Tattie-hoker’ was the phrase the local Scottish population gave to the seasonal Achill migrant worker. In September 1937, ten male Achill tattie-hokers, who were based in Kirkintillock, died after their sleeping premises became engulfed in toxic fumes.
This study examines the official response to the tragedy by the Scottish authorities and Irish government, as well as analyzing the causes for the decline of the Achill custom of tattie-hoking in the post-Second World War.
