I've seen it mentioned twice in above posts that fish was a famine food. Would that mean it wasn't eaten much before the famine (and why not)? Or am I misinterpreting that idea ?

JTT - your description of Fish Pie with potatoes has my mouth watering. One of the best meals I've had in recent years was some sort of mashed potato & meat dish in a pub in Kilarny - toasted golden on top - I'm practically orgasmic just thinking of it now !!