Famine walls

Famine walls were built throughout Ireland, especially in the west and south, in the mid-19th century, during the Great Famine. The walls were built as famine-relief works projects, sponsored by landlords and churches to provide work and income for unemployed peasants.^[1][2][3][4] As payment, workers received food or money, and many of the walls served little practical purpose other than giving work to the poor and clearing the land of stones.^[5]

A section of wall from County Clare, Ireland

The walls are generally around 8–10 feet high and 300 yards long.^[2] 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.^[1][2]