Traditional Irish food

To most people, traditional Irish food means hearty peasant grub of Irish stew, boiled bacon with cabbage and soda bread. These wholesome foods have been around a long time and they still make regular apppearances on the tables of most families in Ireland.

Of course, the Irish cook is not limited to these well-known dishes. There are many, often more sophisticated, specialities that didn't achieve fame despite passing down the generations. Those recipes now adorn the glossy pages of countless cookery books, together with a vast selection of modern recipes demonstrating Ireland's new culinary tradition.

Goose for celebrations

Turkey was introduced to Ireland in the late 17th century, only becoming the meat of choice for celebrations three centuries later.

Until then, goose was the preferred dish for special occasions. In the early years of the 19th century roasted goose appeared on Irish tables three times a year: Michelmas (29 September), St Martin's Eve (11 November) and Christmas Day (25th December).

At Christmas time the goose was usually accompanied by beef, especially Spiced Beef, which was considered a great luxury until well into the 20th century.

But for family historians, the original cooking methods and ingredients used by our ancestors are of most interest. Therefore, the selection below deliberately sticks to what we all know and recognise as traditional Irish food recipes.

The national dish – Irish stew
A perfect marriage of Ireland's most popular vegetables – Colcannon
Two firm pork favourites – Oven baked ham and Boiled bacon & cabbage
Gateway to the Irish soul? – Irish soda bread
Black and white perfection – Irish coffee
It must be Christmas – Plum pudding
Cheesy, fruity or plain? – Buttermilk Scones made easy
Men, trees and cake – Gingerbread (coming soon)

Did you know? Breakfast is known as the Full Irish in the Republic of Ireland and as the Ulster Fry in Northern Ireland.

I'll be adding more delicious traditional Irish recipes in due course so make sure to come back when you've tried those above. Or find out more about Spiced Beef and other traditional Irish food for Christmas.

Return to Irish Genealogy Toolkit Home page.

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Miscellaneous

Baileys Cheesecake

It hasn't been around long enough to have earned the distinction of 'traditional', but Baileys is synonymous with the Emerald Isle because its cream comes only from Irish milk. So, if you're looking for a dessert rich with the flavour of Ireland, you'll love this recipe for Baileys Irish cream cheesecake.

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