Can you tell me more about some traditional Irish bread recipes?

Absolutely! Ireland is home to some delicious, fresh bread recipes. From traditional Irish soda bread to homemade scones (okay, not strictly bread, but they’re our favourite!) Rest assured, there are plenty of bakeries all over Ireland full of hot bread to warm you up for the winter months ahead.

Starting off with the classic Irish soda bread. This is a delicious, simple recipe from Irish chef Kevin Dundon. It’s perfect for beginners or those who want fresh bread quickly. Irish Soda bread is known for its crisp crusty exterior and soft, tender inside, and is great with breakfast, served with soup – or literally anytime you get the munchies.

If you fancy learning how to bake Irish soda bread on your holidays, check out Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen on the shores of Strangford Lough, just 30 minutes from Belfast in Northern Ireland; or the Irish Soda Bread Way along the Wild Atlantic Way in County Mayo. Tasting is part of the experience, naturally! Of course, if you don’t fancy cooking yourself, check out Café Rua in Westport, winner of the Georgina Campbell award for best bread in 2020.

Let’s not forget about Irish scones! Irish scones are best served warm and buttery, with jam and cream optional. They’re generally not too sweet, and can be baked plain, or with red berries, pears or dried fruit – whatever suits your taste! Coming up to Christmas, you could even check out Avoca’s Festive Scones recipe, which uses cranberries and chocolate to sweeten things up.

As more and more bakeries have popped up over Ireland, as have more interpretations of traditional bread recipes. Whilst Sourdough isn’t a traditional Irish bread, it is growing in popularity across Ireland, with plenty of bakeries serving fresh loaves or offering courses where you can learn to make your own sourdough loaf yourself!

There are several bread houses around Ireland keen to help you perfect your home bread-making skills. One of the best is Riot Rye. Deservedly winning Best Cookery School in the 2017 Irish Restaurant Awards, Riot Rye will help you perfect your sourdough loaves. Teaching what they call, The Common Loaf, this course lasts one day and by the end of it you’ll know how to make the perfect sourdough loaf! Spend a fun day learning at Riot Rye that will leave you with great memories and a lifelong skill.

Whether you have time to take a full day course or only have time for a half-day class, Firehouse Bakery offers an insightful behind the scenes look into a modern Irish bakery. Run by Patrick Ryan, as seen on BBC 2’s Big Bread Experiment, you’ll learn from the best here! This legendary Bread School teaches you the secrets to making a delicious fresh loaf. Whenever you’re next in Delgany, County Wicklow be sure to stop by, whether it’s for a course or just for a taste from their Cafe Bakery.  

Do any of our community members have any delicious bread recipes or bread making courses they’d recommend?