The one song which springs to mind immediately actually predates the famine and that is 'Skibereen'. The famine was such a trauma on the country that it was never 'celebrated' in song at the time. I know of no songs contemporary to the period.

There is no doubt that much of our oral and music tradition was lost during that time. The Irish language became a 'paupers' tongue and was a considerable disadvantage to those who wished to emigrate and find decent work. The few surviving traveling musicians and bards (they had been outlawed in previous centuries) found little custom for their trade except for emigrant wakes. At those wakes people usually danced their farewells – songs did not feature as much.

I know of no expert papers or studies which will help your quest but I am interested in the subject and shall make enquiries. In the meanwhile here is some background information you might find useful in setting the scene for your research.

The census of 1841 measured Irelands population at 8.2 million people. He census of 1851 showed a decline to 6.5 million and the Census Commissioners calculated that the population would have grown to over 9 million were it not for famine and resulting emigration.

Reports of the time make for harrowing reading. Even as late as 1851 the potato blight was having significant effect and it was not until 1852 that satisfactory harvests were reported.

The 'shame' and horror associated with The Great Hunger has lasted for generations and it is only in recent years that a little of the national trauma of the time has been exorcised in song, poetry and drama.

Here are some links you may find useful for Irish famine information on the web.

http://www.nationalarchives.ie/famine.html

http://www.irelandstory.com/past/famine/index.htm

http://www.local.ie/general/history/famine/index.shtml

http://www.nde.state.ne.us/SS/irish_famine.html

http://www.oup-usa.org/isbn/0198182791.html

http://www2.magmacom.com/~jward/famine.html

http://www.people.virginia.edu/~eas5e/Irish/Famine.html

http://wwwvms.utexas.edu/~jdana/history/famine.html

Closely connected with the famine are the agrarian disputes and rebellions which occurred throughout Ireland the 18th and 19th centuries. Less traumatic than death by starvation, evictions prompted songs to be written which give a glimpse of what the pre and post famine times may have been like.

Similar to 'Skibereen' is the song 'Lough Sheelin Side' is about the Tonagh eviction in Co. Cavan.

LOUGH SHEELIN SIDE

Farewell my country a long farewell,
My tale of anguish no tongue can tell.
For I'm forced to fly over the ocean wide,
From the home I love by Lough Sheelin side.

How proud was I of my girl so fair,
I was envied most by the young men there.
When I brought her back a bashful bride,
To the home I love by Lough Sheelin side.

CHORUS: Farewell my love, a fond adieu,
Farewell my comrades and county too.
For I'm forced to fly over the ocean wide,
From the home I love by Lough Sheelin side.

All our joys were too good to last,
The landlord came our homes to blast.
In vain we pleaded but mercy no,
He drove us out in the blinding snow.

No one opened for us their door,
For each one vengeance would reach for sure.
My Eileen fainted in my arms and died,
On that snowy night by Lough Sheelin side.

I buried her down in the churchyard low,
Where in the springtime the wildflowers grow.
I shed no tears for my tongue was dry,
On that snowy night by Lough Sheelin side.

Farewell my country, farewell all day,
For the ship will soon take me far away.
But my fond heart would sooner bide,
In the home I love by Lough Sheelin side.

END

I hope to post more relevant information in due course. I wish you well in your research and I am very interested to see the results of your quest.

Best regards
Frank McGrath