There was kind of a talk song on a resant public tv irish music show about food being exported from dublin at the hieght of the potato famin. It was a long list of food stufs wich were shipped out "on a single day" I could try to find out more if your interested.

Also, you could pick up a Clancy Brothers and Makem song book. You'll find many songs of both hardship and rebellion. One that stands out is The Praties They Grow Small.