The Creation and Evolution of Irish Cuisine

Gini L. Jones

Section 4


The first traces of the Irish civilization were discovered to be during the Bronze Age, 2000BC to 500BC that lasted around 500 years. This era was between the Stone and early iron ages. The first 8,000 years of the Irish people’s existence did not uncover much about their dietary habits, although they were seen as hunters and gatherers that worked around the environment in which they lived to survive, but also restricted their eating habits. For the 5,000 years after the first 8,000 cultural developments began to occur, this changed the Irish civilization not only socially but agriculturally. This was called the Irish “Cultural Revolution.” (Linnane, John)

The Celtic people were the first to inhabit Ireland. The people were divided into 150 different Kingdoms known as Tuatha. The family was the main priority for the Celtic people. Farms were passed down form generation to generation, and were either built on a hill or near a lake for protection. The family groups went through a process of four generations, otherwise known in Ireland as Derbfine. Moving form the 12th century to the early 1500’s the family farm life began to shift, and turn into more of a group agricultural system, due to the invasions of the Normans into Ireland, which officially changed the Celtic’s family agriculture system and culture. (Linnane, John)

The original diet of the Celt’s, which was discovered in the last 5,000 years of the cultural development era, consisted of milk, cheese, meat, cereals, and some vegetables. So basically they used the land, and agriculture to survive. This diet was used from the beginning of the prehistoric era until the potato was discovered in the new world. The most common way of cooking foods before the discovery of the potato was by cauldron. Depending on whether the people lived closer to the water or farther from it would determine what type of food that they used to cook in the cauldron. The cauldron method of cooking itself is a large three legged pot, which was placed over a fire until the contents inside simmered.












If the People lived closer to the water they would cook shellfish, and farther from the water in more rural and mountainous areas they would cook chicken and other farm like meats. Actually serving the food was very important to the Irish culture. When people passed away they were said to be buried with their bowels in which they had eaten. (Linnane, John)

Before the discovery of the potato, animal husbandry was the largest way to make money in Ireland.(Linnane, John) When William of Norman captured Ireland in 1066, French and Italian cuisine became a new part of the Irish up scale living. Another huge change in food and culture came about with the discovery of the New World. 500 years after its discovery in 1500 the Irish were among some of the first people to accept the potato as a staple crop.(foodbycountry.com) The potato was able to help the landless population of Ireland create a source of income. Because of the efficiency of the potato, the population in Ireland began to increase, mostly within the lower, poor class. (Linnane, John)

Grains, potatoes, dairy products and vegetables have been the traditional staple crops of the Irish. Potatoes still appear in most Irish meals, and the Irish have also become large cheese manufacturers. A famous food that was first discovered even before the potato, but latter enhanced by it was the Irish stew. It consists of a mixture of vegetables, including potatoes which thickened the original stew, lamb chops, and Canadian bacon. The overall Irish diet consisted, and still consists of: soups, stew, seafood and meats. (foodbycountry.com)

Irish cuisine began on dairy and meat products, and some seafood and vegetables. Throughout its agricultural development, invasion of the Norman’s, and agricultural discoveries made in the New World, the food and diet of the Irish people has dramatically changed. One vegetable changed the Irish cuisine forever, the potato. For no other country could we say this for, unless it was compared to the discovery of the tomato on the Southern European diet. (Linnane, John)

Traditional Irish Stew:
Ingredients
• 4 potatoes, thinly sliced
• 4 medium onions, thinly sliced
• 6 carrots, sliced
• 1 pound Canadian bacon, chopped
• 3 pounds lamb chops, 1-inch thick, trimmed, and cut into small pieces
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2½ cups water
• 4 potatoes, halved
• Fresh parsley, finely chopped
Procedure
1. To make Irish stew, all the ingredients are assembled in layers in a large stew pot.
2. Begin with layers of sliced potatoes, onions, and carrots.
3. Top with a layer of Canadian bacon and lamb.
4. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.
5. Repeat these steps until all the ingredients are used.
6. Add enough water to just cover the ingredients.
7. Arrange the halved potatoes on top of the stew, but not in contact with the water, so they can steam as the rest is cooking.
8. Simmer over a very low heat for about 2 hours.
9. Sprinkle liberally with the chopped parsley and serve in soup bowls.
Makes 4 to 6 servings
The above recipe was provided by foodbycountry.com


Works cited:
Food In Ireland. 2007. Advameg Inc. March 4, 2009. .
Linnane, John.A History of Irish Cuisine (Before and After the Potato).Feb 12, 2000.March 4, 2009.<>.