Irish Wedding Feast

An Irish Wedding Feast: as with all countries traditional Irish cuisine is governed by the terrain, climate and prosperity of its people. In this case the island of Ireland has rolling inland planes surrounded by dramatic rugged hills, coastal mountains and sheer cliff faces to the west of Ireland. Its temperature is maritime, which for Ireland means constant humid cool summers and mild winters. The Irish Sea to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west meant that fish and crustacean were part of costal villages diet. Apart from the landed gentry, the general populous was not prosperous and had little variation in their diet. It was not uncommon to have to struggle to survive. During the potato famine of 1846 – 1850 over a million Irish people died and over two million emigrated. Today, however, is another story.

A Traditional Irish Wedding Feast:

After the wedding ceremony had taken place, the whole village would bring a plate and some drink to the bride’s home to celebrate. This was known as “potluck”. The dishes would vary from county to county, but you may have found some of the following being served at a traditional Irish wedding feast:

- “Boxty”, griddled potato cakes
- “Broths”, hearty soups made from any vegetables and meat available
- “Champ”, potato dish with spring onions
- Cheese, made from cow, sheep or goats milk
- “Coddle”, or “Cobbler”, stew usually made from mutton
- “Colcannon”, potato dish
- “Corned beef”, beef hash served with cabbage
- “Crubeens”, pigs trotters
- “Dublin Coddle”, sausage stew
- Fish, herring, mackerel
- “Irish brown bread”, brown bread
- “Irish buttermilk bannock”, bread
- “Irish stew”, made from mutton
- “Irish Whisky Cake”, fruit cake, when iced can be used as a wedding cake
- “Irish white pudding”, pork sausage with herbs
- “Soda Bread”, similar to an English scone, but triangular or square, there are several variations including spiced, savory, sweet, or plain
- “St Brigids oaten bread”, bread made from oats
- “Stuffed Marrow”, large marrow or squash hollowed out and stuffed with a savory mince
- “Tea Brack”, fruit tea cake
For drinks “Meade”, a honey wine would be served, together with home made wines, apple cider, and a dark home brewed ale – stout.

What would a modern day traditional Irish wedding feast comprise?

Should you be lucky enough to attend a traditional Irish wedding feast you may experience some of the following:

Irish Wedding Feast