The Melting Pot of the EU

Posted by Hooff Cooksey

Of all the things to be worried about before coming to Ireland, I seemed to focus on the food situation.  I knew potatoes were popular, but that was about it.  I have to say I have been pleasantly surprised.

Centra on UCD campus in Dublin.

Every Irish meal I have had thus far has been delicious.  Granted, it is very basic; the portions are big and usually consisting of a large piece of meat such as chicken or beef, with many vegetables sides, such as potatoes or carrots.  The soups are very good and filling, as is the Guinness pie, which is actually a stew with beef and a thick broth.  I also love two sandwich toppings that are not customary in the States: stuffing and butter.  Yes, stuffing like you have at Thanksgiving.  It is really quite delicious.  These two ingredients can be found at Centra on their signature Chicken Fillet Roll, a sandwich I wish I could have everyday for lunch.

Ireland is also very unique in its drink selection.  Guinness beer and Jameson whiskey is different from another of its kind across the world.  The Irish take great pride in Guinness being poured the proper way, and the fact that Jameson is much different from scotch.  

At the Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin.

I have been most astounded however, by the many different types a food offered from all across the world, making it very similar to the area I grew up in outside of Washington, D.C.  Dublin has proven be more of a ‘melting pot’ than I ever imagined (See 'The Melting Pot Festival' in Co. Donegal, Ireland) 

From Lebanese to Italian; American to Mexican; Asian to Indian; almost every food imaginable is served somewhere in Dublin, and even in the smaller cities around Ireland.  The food seems to be representative of the growing influx of outside culture into the major cities in Ireland, especially Dublin.  Not to mention with the rise in emigration of the young Irish, the multicultural environment seems even more apparent. 

 

Irish musicians play 'Kashmir' with an Irish twist at The Storehouse in Dublin.

This came as a great surprise to me.  I always imagined Ireland to have at least some outside influence from some parts of Europe, but not to this extent.  It is interesting to note that the Irish culture itself does not seem to have been affected by the steady rise in cultural diversity in the country.  The tradition and pride that makes Irish people unique seems to be strong, and potentially growing with the change in demographics.         

 A traditional Irish jig, with three traditional Irish instruments.