Two men wearing green hats raising their beer glasses.

Here’s What People In Ireland Really Eat On St. Patrick’s Day

NEWS

By EMMY SCHNEIDER-GREEN

Four people in green hats holding green beer and having a conversation.
While corned beef and cabbage may seem like standard fare for St. Patrick’s Day, celebrating the holiday in its birthplace would offer a markedly distinct culinary experience.
Small round scones on a plate.
You’d find an array of traditionally enjoyed dishes ranging from lamb and beef stews, potatoes, carb-loaded breads, desserts, and pies both sweet and savory.
Irish beef stew in a deep dish.
To honor authentic Irish culinary tradition for St. Patrick’s Day, try making a staple meal of bacon and cabbage — which is enjoyed year-round, not just on the holiday.
Sliced corned beef with vegetables on a plate.
Canadian-style bacon has a long-standing presence in Irish cuisine, which some suggest morphed into the Americanized corned beef when Irish immigrants made their way to America.
Large plate with shepherd's pie.
Beef or lamb stew, a beef pot roast, or a shepherd’s pie topped with mashed potatoes are all traditional Irish meals that you could expect in homes and restaurants in Ireland.
Colcannon with a wooden spoon in a wooden bowl.
Colcannon, a rich buttery concoction of mashed potatoes combined with ribbons of cabbage, is another mainstay. For dessert, chocolate pie or apple tarts are common.
A person holding a glass of Guinness.
So are crumbly rustic loaves of soda bread made with buttermilk or biscuity scones. As for the libations, many Irish people celebrate with pints of Guinness or glasses of Jameson.
Sliders with an Irish flag on a wooden tray.
It’s important to note that St. Patrick’s Day celebrations vary widely among Irish individuals, with some enjoying typical meals or takeout instead of culturally significant foods.