During the first half of the nineteenth century, failures of the potato crop were a regular occurrence leading to periodic famines. In 1822, there was a widespread failure of the potato crop in North Mayo. In June of that year, the Archbishop of Tuam made a pastoral visit to the area. In a letter to the London Times he reported that in Crossmolina and other towns of North Mayo he witnessed a "multitude of half starved men, women and children". Local landlords and clergy established an inter-denominational relief committee. Richard Sharpe – an agent for the Palmer estate who owned large amounts of land around Crossmolina - was particularly active in the relief efforts. He organized shipments of oats to relieve starvation around the town.