As it turns out, Bacon is the the tradition for the Irish chaps and they generally only serve Corned Beef in Ireland to please the tourists. In fact, many Irish didn’t even have corned beef until they came to America!

As much as I do love a good corned beef, it won’t be on my menu tomorrow 🙂

Enjoy this cute poem I found about the food of the Irish and have a delicious St. Patrick’a day meal tomorrow…traditional or not!

Good Grief…Not Beef!

I just want to put something straight
About what should be on your plate,
If it’s corned beef you’re makin’
You’re sadly mistaken,
That isn’t what Irishmen ate.

If you ever go over the pond
You’ll find it’s of bacon they’re fond,
All crispy and fried,
With some cabbage beside,
And a big scoop of praties beyond.

Your average Pat was a peasant
Who could not afford beef or pheasant.
On the end of his fork
Was a bit of salt pork,
As a change from potatoes ’twas pleasant.

This custom the Yanks have invented,
Is an error they’ve never repented,
But bacon’s the stuff
That all Irishmen scoff,
With fried cabbage it is supplemented.

So please get it right this St. Paddy’s.
Don’t feed this old beef to your daddies.
It may be much flasher,
But a simple old rasher,
Is what you should eat with your tatties.

©Frances Shilliday 2004