Ireland

[ian.bayliss1]

what year was the famine

[Clanad]

1845...

[pauln90]

began in 1845 .several suggestions how long it lasted 4-6 years

[noxlumos]

1845 was the beginning of the famine, it actually is widely regarded to have lasted at 6 years with the peak years of famine and mortality being 46-49.
This is an excellent website detailing the hunger.
http://www.nde.state.ne.us/SS/irish/irish_pf.h tml

It deals not only with the causes of the famine and the disasterous policy of laissez-faire but with mortality rates, "coffin ships" and all other aspects of what was essentially a holocaust committed against the Irish people.
If I can be of any help please let me know .