The Irish people were not able to exist exclusively on potatoes because they didn't have any other choice. Potatoes were introduced to Ireland in the late 16th century, and they quickly became one of the primary sources of food for the Irish population due to their high yield per acre and their ability to grow in poor soil conditions. However, this reliance on potatoes led to a major disaster known as the Great Famine, which began in 1845 when a potato blight wiped out much of the crop, causing widespread starvation and death. The Irish were not able to exist exclusively on potatoes, but their dependence on them made them particularly vulnerable to the effects of the blight.
