Esther Finds

1. TRADITIONAL IRISH BACON AND CABBAGE
INGREDIENTS
1 Shannon Traditional Slab Bacon (11/4 - 2lb)
1/2 green cabbage and 1/2 white cabbage
8 potatoes (peeled)
Salt and pepper
METHOD:
Remove slab bacon from plastic bag. Cover with cold water. Bring to boil and drain. Cover with fresh cold water. Bring to boil and then simmer for 25 minutes per 1lb plus 25 minutes over. Remove outer leaves of cabbage. Cut in half, add to the saucepan and simmer for the last 20 minutes. Remove bacon to chopping board and carve into thin slices. Drain cabbage, season with salt & pepper, chop and add a knob of butter. Serve the bacon with the cabbage and boiled potatoes

This is a little poem that I found quite interesting because it emphasizes the misconception of most that corned beef and cabbage was a staple meal in Ireland. Anyway, it's amusing.

GOOD GRIEF - NOT BEEF!
I just want to put something straight
About what should be on your plate,
If it's corned beef you're makin'
You're sadly mistaken,
That isn't what Irishmen ate.

If you ever go over the pond
You'll find it's of bacon they're fond,
All crispy and fried,
With some cabbage beside,
And a big scoop of praties beyond.

Your average Pat was a peasant
Who could not afford beef or pheasant.
On the end of his fork
Was a bit of salt pork,
As a change from potatoes 'twas pleasant.

This custom the Yanks have invented,
Is an error they've never repented,
But bacon's the stuffThat all Irishmen scoff,
With fried cabbage it is supplemented.

So please get it right this St. Paddy's.
Don't feed this old beef to your daddies.
It may be much flasher,
But a simple old rasher,
Is what you should eat with your tatties.
©Frances Shilliday 2004

Ceol agus Rince na hEireann
Music and Dance from Ireland
I am not sure when this stamp was made, but I really loved the depiction of the Irish bagpipes and the man playing them. One can sort of tell that he's not posed for the image. He is just playing or getting ready to; it's all happening in the moment.


"Out on the mountain" by Charles McAuley



Petroglyph paintings from Newgrange
"Newgrange is one of the oldest buildings in Europe, dating to about 3200 bc. Located on a ridge at a bend in the river Boyne, it has commanding views and can be seen from some distance."
"Many of the kerbstones and interior walls are covered with carvings.

Some of these can be clearly interpreted as calendar descriptions and indications of the alignment when the light enters the passage."
-Picture and text from www.onlymp.com/gallery/ petro/ireland/newgrange/



An Rógaire DubhTá mo stoca is mo bhróga ag an rógaire dubh, x3
Mo naipicín póca le bliain sa lá inniu.
PortaireachtTá nead insa sliabh ag an rógaire dubh, x3
Ní ghabhfaidh sé an bóthar ach cóngar an chnoic.
Dá bhfeicteása Máire taobh eile den tsruth, x3
Is a dhá chois in airde ag an rógaire dubh!

The black rogue has taken my socks and shoes x3
And my pocket handkerchief, a year ago today.
The black rogue has a nest in the mountain x3
He won't travel by road, but takes the shorcut over the hill.
If you were to see Máire on the far side of the stream x 3
And the black rogue's two legs high up in the air!