Every March 17, the whole of Ireland celebrates St. Patrick’s Day! On this occasion, they dance, parade in the streets, gather in Irish pubs, sing, dance and of course… eat! But what exactly do we eat on Saint Patrick’s Day? Which dishes? With which drinks? Catch up on traditional Irish dishes for St. Patrick’s Day!
St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes – New Africa
In Ireland, it’s all about tradition! That’s why St. Patrick’s Day is a time for Irish people to rediscover good family food! Hearty dishes, often simmered, which have the advantage of warming up the atmosphere (remember that Saint Patrick’s Day takes place in March, i.e. in winter).
Please note: Irish cuisine is accustomed to simplicity. That’s why you’ll find simple dishes with few ingredients! Potatoes, cabbage, Guinness, butter, smoked salmon… Nevertheless, the Irish terroir abounds in quality produce, which makes it possible to produce simple dishes that are absolutely incredible. So don’t let yourself be swayed: Irish cuisine is full of surprises!
So here’s a short list of Irish favourites for St Patrick’s Day:
Here’s your first must-have! Irish stew is a bit of a flagship Irish dish! This is a lamb (or mutton) stew, served with potatoes, onions and carrots.
A simple dish that nevertheless takes hours to simmer. The taste is unrivalled and well worth the detour, especially when accompanied by a fresh pint of brown ale (a stout like Guinness or Murphy’s, to name but a few), and Irish brown bread.
Note that Irish stew has a variant: Irish beef stew, an identical stew made with beef. Something for everyone!
Irish stew is a real delicacy: although simple and unappealing at first, its inimitable taste eventually wins it many fans. Don’t hesitate to let yourself be tempted! It’s the Irish way of eating!
In Ireland, the potato has always played a key role in the country’s cuisine. Firstly, because historically, Ireland has lived for centuries in poverty: the potato was then, along with cabbage, an accessible foodstuff that formed the basis of their diet.
Although the potato is still cooked today, it has found its letters of nobility in some of Ireland’s flagship dishes.
Especially with Colcannon: it’s a delicious main pkat! It could be described as mashed potatoes and cabbage, cooked with butter, milk and onions. Some colcannons have meat added, such as bacon or lamb.
The result is a simple but delicious dish!
Irish smoked salmon – © denio109
In Ireland, we love local salmon! The country has an international reputation for the quality of its wild salmon! That’s why the Irish like to enjoy smoked salmon in the simplest of ways: with Guinness Bread!
It involves slicing some bread (Guinness Bread, made with the famous Irish beer that gives it its dark hue), spreading some butter on it, placing a slice of smoked Irish salmon on top, and sprinkling the whole thing with a few drops of lemon.
The result is a perfect bite: a skilful balance of sweetness and acidity! A real delicacy, typically Irish, which can once again be accompanied by a cold Irish beer.
There are no small pleasures in Irish life… Especially when it comes to fish and chips! Easy as pie, all you need is fresh fish, home fries and a small coleslaw salad… And it’s paradise!
Ireland is extremely fond of this type of meal. The country is rich in fishermen, and many establishments offer hake, cod and haddock fresh off the boat, ready to be cooked!
The result is a sumptuous dish that’s quick and easy, quite economical, and can be eaten at the table or standing up. In other words, it’s the perfect St. Patrick’s Day treat!
Expect to pay less than €10 for fish and chips: many Irish pubs offer them, but there are also a number of specialist restaurants that serve just this dish. For example, you’ll come across many Dubliners eating this famous dish on March 17th. A real pleasure!
Best served with tartar sauce, rustic French fries and crudités such as coleslaw or mashed split peas. It’s the perfect balance!
In Ireland, there are also many desserts more suited to sweet tooths. And then it’s a merry-go-round of possibilities! It’s impossible to give you an exhaustive list, but you’ll come across many desserts based on Guinness, raisins, Bailey’s…etc.
Here is a short list:
Belfast - Cork - Dublin - Galway Celebrating Saint Patrick's Day in Ireland 
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