1961 Magazine Fall 2016

HISTORY & TRAVEL
www.airb&b.com that make it easy to organize these
types of venues. Even if you are a 5 star fan, I highly
recommend trying something different by booking a
cozy and intimate B&B holiday in strategic cities across
your destination. There is no better way to meet the
people, understand local culture, or experience food
than staying with the locals. Ireland is no exception to
this rule of thought. You won’t be disappointed the first
time you sit down to a huge spread of local delicacies
while having a chat with a lovely and welcoming Irish
family.
Another thing to consider is the traditional nature
of the Irish host or hostess. As part of their culture
when people call in, it’s very important to the Irish
host that you leave full. This has to do a great deal
with its history and the struggles their people have
gone through.
I’ve been invited in to homes as a complete stranger
and despite being called a God Damn Yankee (actually
a compliment) I have been bestowed some of the finest
Irish delicacies and hospitalities imaginable. We’re not
talking about a cup of tea and biscuits wither; Full
feast that seemingly came out of nowhere. It’s a very
humbling experience when you meet a family that will
give you the shirt off their back and are genuinely as
interested in your story as you are in theirs. Not to
mention, it’s very difficult to say no to an Irish lady who
is setting an endless spread of treats before you and
urging you to “awe…..go on so”. You simply cannot say
no and you wouldn’t want either. There’s been many
a nights of dancing and singing and laughter in such
venues and all that being said you simply will not find
that experience in the trendy quarters.
Still worried about enjoying your holiday or making
to the pub just for the Craic (Craic - Irish for the fun
or thrill of doing something, as best as I can translate
it)? Please don’t worry, some of the best nights out
in Ireland don’t take place in the trendy spots but in
the old local pubs that exist in every little town along
the way. There’s just something unbeatable about
running out of the cold or rain into an old man’s pub
in the middle of nowhere. You walk in and the smell of
burning turf fills your nostrils. A traditional Irish band
is belting out tunes in some corner and the place is
alive with energy. The thrill of the fiddle catches your
attention while the hypnotic pulse of the baron starts
your feet tapping. When the accordion, banjo and guitar
join in you don’t even realize that you’ve been sucked
into another world and you simply feel alive with the
music. You’re surrounded by people who you probably
won’t understand, not even a single word they say, yet
they’re friendly so you feel welcome. And when you
sit down and taste that homemade chowder with a
pint of beer and a slice of fresh soda bread, you just
don’t want it to end. When it comes to food, people
and hospitality exploring Ireland’s backroads won’t
disappoint you ever!
A little background about Irish food:
Traditionally, food in Ireland would have been scarce
at various times throughout history – one reason why
you’re expected to clear you plate and leave nothing
to waste. However when it was available, breakfast
would have been a heavier meal with a larger dinner
served mid-day. In modern times, a lighter breakfast
and lunch followed by a larger dinner served in the
evening is normal, however the traditional breakfasts
can still be found everywhere.
Some Irish foods have even been recognized as having
“Protected Geographical Status” by European Union:
(List from Wikipedia)
• Clare Island Salmon
• Connemara Hill Lamb
• Imokilly Regato
• Timoleague Brown Pudding
• Waterford Blaa
Pending Applications:
• Irish Salmon
• Oriel Sea Minerals
• Oriel Sea Salt
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1961 Magazine Fall 2016