Food in Olden Times

The diet of the average country person was entirely different from what it is at present. At that time, it was entirely composed of homegrown produce like potatoes and oatmeal. The morning meal consisted of milk and stir about. A milk substitute was known as sheerans, and it was steeped in water for a week along with the fine seeds from the grinding of the oats and some oats themselves. It had a very taste but was very nourishing. This could also be made into Flummery. Stir about was thought to be a very good food. Sometimes oatmeal cake was boiled into it. Cabbage with bacon was served in richer homes for dinner.

Collector: Bridie Geraghty, Williamstown, Co. Galway

Informant: Eamonn Geraghty, Williamstown, Co. Galway

Place: Ballyroe, Co. Galway

Footnote: Duchas, ‘The Schools’ Collection’, www.duchas.ie