In the wake of the recent post of my Americanized version of this conventional soda bread, I wanted to add the traditional recipe for comparison’s sake. This recipe makes a fairly dense, rustic loaf of Irish-inspired, yeast-free bread that is full of flavor and extremely quick and easy! Unlike my Americanized version, this bread is…
Tag: St Patrick’s Day
Leap Castle of Ireland: The MOST Haunted in the World!
Perhaps the most haunted castle in Ireland is “Leap Castle” and according to legend was built on a Druidic site. The O’Carroll family once lived here, and they were vicious murderers, who would throw the bodies of their victims down a hole in the wall called an “oubilette.” There is a small windowless room below…
Who are the “Wee Folk” or Leprechauns of Ireland?
As part of Irish mythology and folklore the Leprechauns are part of Ireland’s faerie folk, called by some as the “wee folk”. As a cousin of the clurichaun they are known to have inhabited Ireland well before the arrival of the Celts. Small enough for one to sit comfortable on your shoulder they are very…
“Red Jacket” Colcannon
Colcannon is a customary Irish potato dish that is not only rich in flavor, but folklore and history as well. It’s also a perfect recipe to make with the kids while sharing its interesting history! Contrary to popular belief that this is a St. Patrick’s Day dish, by tradition, it’s actually made on All Saints Day…
A Tale of Ireland Sure to Warm the Cockles of Your Heart
This is a true personal account drawn from the memory of my dear British friend, Jackson Stones. We thank you, Jackson for your time, warmth and generous contribution. “It was a few years ago now, but I remember it well. Galway, is a tiny city in the far west of Ireland. A small university town…
Shamrocks? 4-Leaf Clovers? There is a Difference!
According to St. Patrick’s Day lore, Patrick used the “three” leaves of a shamrock to explain the holy trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Today, St. Patrick’s Day revelers wear a shamrock out of tradition; the people of Ireland, here in the U.S and “across the pond,” wear an authentic shamrock for…
Irish Soda Bread “American Style”
This is a sweeter, chewier, lighter and richer version of Traditional Irish Soda Bread. And, in my opinion and experience, seems to be more in harmony with the American taste. The conventional Irish Soda bread simply combines flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk; it’s not sweet and has a very dense, somewhat doughy crumb. Most…
Do The Irish Wear Green on Saint Patrick’s Day? Think Again!
Do The Irish Wear Green on Saint Patrick’s Day? Think Again! Corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, Shepard’s pie, Colcannon, just to name a few of the upcoming traditional Irish recipes to be posted here in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. However, the question today is “do the Irish wear green on St. Patrick’s Day?”…
“Leap Year” Isn’t Merely a Hollywood Movie St. Patrick Started the Script!
In the wake of this past February, and the slight fringe of the upcoming Leap Year of February 29, 2016, I’d like to share a fun fact of the correlation of Saint Patrick and the “Leap Year.” According to legend, tiresome of Saint Bridget’s constant complaints about the traditional social mores requiring women to wait…
Once Upon a Spice 