The Food and Drink Saint Patrick Consumed

A question I am often asked is what food did St. Patrick actually eat. Well, this is a tough one to answer as he left no records of his meals. However the Irish at the time of his arrival ate a very limited diet so it is logical to make some assumptions as to his own eating habits.

Breakfast

Porridge was consumed in great quantities in 5th century Ireland for the morning meal. Oats, from which porridge is made, was the main crop grown due to its rain resistance. Milk was also a key foodstuff, the Irish drank it fresh or turned it into cheese. Duck eggs were fried on stones with a little butter and goose eggs were taken on special occasions such as the mid summer festival.

Irish Milk

Evening Meals

Vegetables were not grown in Ireland during this period but instead onions and watercress were gathered from the wild. Cattle and Pigs were the primary sources of meat for evening meals although Salmon was taken from the rivers when in season. All meats were basted with honey and salt was added for taste. All foods were cooked in a pot over an open fire

Wild Irish Salmon
Dessert

In the summer raspberries, strawberries and wild cherries were gathered from the hedgerows. Apples were cultivated and provided a supply of nutrients in the Fall. A special treat was milk boiled with seaweed and then mixed with honey. To this day Ireland still exports edible seaweed.