Was the Irish Famine really caused by a potato blight?

The answer

While the potato blight (Phytophthora infestans) destroyed the staple crop between 1845 and 1852, the famine's severity was largely man-made. Ireland continued exporting grain, meat, and dairy to England throughout the crisis because tenant farmers couldn't afford to eat what they grew - all profits went to British landlords. Approximately 1 million people died and another million emigrated, reducing Ireland's population by 25%. The population has still not recovered to pre-famine levels nearly 180 years later.