#FirstDate #FirstDates #FirstDatesIRL #Dating #Kilkenny #StPatricksDay #PaddysDay #BaconAndCabbage #Recipe #COVID #LEGO
St. Patrick’s Day / Lá Fhéile Pádraig / Paddy’s Day in Ireland
And definitely NOT Patty’s Day
By Paddy’s Day, I think we both knew that we had each found someone special. Although COVID-19 was running wild, we decided that if we were probably going to get it anyhow, we might as well enjoy the festivities. I mean, why did I move to Ireland if I can’t dress up in green and act like a leprechaun?!?
We walked Brownie around the center of town and must have looked festive enough to get the local newspaper to take a picture of us. Although Brownie just looks as confused as ever.
Later on, we went to my favorite pub – Ryan’s Bar. While I enjoyed a nice cold cider, a beautiful Irish lass kissed me like I was the Blarney Stone.
Paddy’s Day was on a Thursday. It is always a Bank Holiday in Ireland, but this year, they made Friday a Bank Holiday as well. This made for an incredible four-day weekend, and we enjoyed spending the whole time together. On Saturday, her son and his girlfriend came for a visit, and they decided to go up in a huge Ferris wheel. While I’m not a fan of heights, I couldn’t be the odd man out, so I went up in it with the three of them. I don’t think I look scared, do you?
At least I was able to get a good picture of downtown Kilkenny.
Afterwards, we made our way to Langtons, and not because it was our two month anniversary of our First Date, which it was. We went to see Qween – an incredible Queen tribute band. The place was packed! Did I mention earlier that COVID was running wild? Sure enough, a couple of days later, the sniffles and coughing started. Yep, we both tested positive. Meh – it was worth it. 😍☘️🇮🇪
In Ireland, it would be difficult to find Corned Beef and Cabbage on any day, let alone Paddy’s Day. Instead, the Irish eat Bacon and Cabbage. But don’t think of Bacon as that delightful breakfast meat. Bacon is Pork Loin. Here is a recipe for Bacon and Cabbage from Bord Bia:
1½kg loin of bacon
1 carrot
2 celery sticks
2 leeks
1 teasp. peppercorns
1kg cabbage, finely sliced
1 tablesp. butter
Topping
1 tablesp. mustard
1 tablesp. oven-dried breadcrumbs
½ tablesp. brown sugar
Knob of butter
- Place the joint in a large saucepan. Add chopped vegetables and peppercorns. Cover with cold water. Bring to the boil, then simmer gently for approximately 20 minutes per ½ kg.
- Set oven to Gas Mark 6, 200ºC (400ºF).
- Remove the joint from the saucepan. Reserve liquid.
- Remove the rind and score the fat. Place the joint on a roasting dish. Spread with mustard and breadcrumbs, sugar and a knob of butter. Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes.
- To Cook the Cabbage: Place the cabbage in a saucepan and barely cover with some of the reserved cooking liquid.
- Bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes. Drain well and toss in butter. Season to taste.
- Slice the bacon and serve on the bed of cabbage, a little of the mustard sauce and of course floury potatoes.
