Written by Jaden Parker

The best part of any holiday has to be the food (at least for me, that is). So let’s look at the A to Z of Irish delicacies!

Barmbrack

This Irish bread is a traditional find during Halloween. Called “Bairín Breac” in Gaelic (meaning “speckled bread”), Barmbrack is usually filled with small charms. The charm told the fortune of whomever received it. For example, if you got the dried pea, that meant you wouldn’t marry the following year, whereas if you received the ring, you were likely to be married. This sweet bread has raisins and other spices and is best enjoyed sliced and buttered.

Boxty

Boxty is an Irish potato pancake, similar to a latke. It’s typically made from leftover mashed potatoes and grated raw potatoes as a breakfast food. The potato patties are fried after being seasoned and dipped in flour, eggs, and milk, allowing them to maintain a soft inside while having a crispy outside. Boxty is mainly associated with St. Brigid’s Day. 

Colcannon

While most people believe that corned beef and cabbage is the main meal of St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, it is actually this delicious dish that takes the cake at the dinner table. Colcannon is a mixture of cooked and shredded cabbage and mashed potatoes. The Gaelic term “cal ceannann” means “white-headed cabbage.” It’s more of a side dish that’s served alongside some sort of meat, but it seems pretty delicious all on its own if you ask me!

Guinness & Beef Pie

A proper Guinness Pie takes a while to make. With a light puff pastry covering the top, the inside of this pie is a slow-cooked, Guinness-marinated beef and veggie combination in a deliciously thick gravy. If I had the time, I would definitely try my hand at this tender goodness. 

Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s Pie is a classic dish that originated from the U.K. The stew is made with meat and vegetables similar to the Guinness Pie, but it is covered with a layer of mashed potatoes. You put it all in the oven to bake, browning the mashed potatoes just right to give it that extra texture profile.

Soda Bread

This bread is a staple on St. Patrick’s Day and the exact opposite of the Barmbrack bread. Soda bread is tangy and crumbly like a scone and ism ade with flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. Interestingly, the bread can rise without the use of yeast because of the acidity in the buttermilk’s reaction with the baking soda! The Irish-American version of this bread is a lot sweeter (sort of like panettone). Irish soda bread is also always scored with an X-shape in the center to make sure the bread bakes through evenly. Some think it may be related to the Catholic faith or to ward off evil fairies!