Essays in Irish economic development

This thesis is positioned at the intersection of development economics and economic history, examining how public policy shaped poverty and living standards in post-Famine Ireland - a period of rapid transition from poverty and insecurity to relative prosperity. Beyond national averages, the sources and extent of this improvement remain contested. We know little about whether growth was inclusive, if it expanded economic opportunities and improved living standards for the poorest. To address these questions, this thesis is structured into three main chapters, each analysing different aspects of Irish economic development to explore how policies targeting people and places shaped living standards for the poorest. The second chapter exploits the introduction of the 1908 Old Age Pension as a natural experiment of history. As an early example of a large-scale unconditional cash transfer, I find that the policy reduced the opportunity costs of schooling and mainly benefited boys, likely because intra-household bargaining processes reinforced existing gender norms. The third chapter probes whether post-Famine growth was accompanied by falling poverty. Using a new multidimensional poverty index, I find that poverty generally declined, though year-to-year changes were volatile and crises were only partially mitigated by proactive public policy. The fourth chapter evaluates the effect of an early place-based policy on poverty and finds that it reduced poverty substantially in Ireland’s western periphery by improving agricultural outcomes. As the world grapples with the eradication of absolute poverty, this thesis provides evidence that policies which build state capacity, strengthen institutions, and better equip governments to take a proactive role in promoting long-term inclusive growth can play a decisive role in transforming developing economies from poverty to prosperity. Together, the chapters highlight the value of large-scale natural experiments of history to extend and complement existing development literature.