The Great Famine in Ireland in the mid-19th century was caused by late potato blight. The Irish farmers depended only in one crop, potatoes, and when the  potatoes got infected, there were no other crops to rely upon. Irish farmers rented the land from absentee British landlords, unsympathetic to the needs of Catholic tenants. That plus the seed supplies for other crops were not available from the British government agents, so all of these factors happening at the same time caused over a million Irish tenants to die because of this famine. There was a great exodus of Irish people at this time to European countries, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

The foods we eat when we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day show the limited variety of resources available at the time to Irish farmers.  Besides potato crops, Irish people were also sheep herders, and cattle ranchers, but meat was left for special occasions. Therefore, you will see that reflected in all Irish recipes.

Today, Irish farmers cultivate a great variety of crops and are famous for their cooking schools, animal, plant products, and restaurants.

Guinness famous “Porter Beer”, was founded by Arthur Guinness, born in Celbridge, County Kildare around 1725. He was an Irish brewer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. The inventor of Guinness beer, he founded the Guinness Brewery at St. James’s Gate in 1759.