Important Facts
- 5 million Irish came to America in the 19th Century
- They immigrated due to the potato famine, religious persecution, and grave economic conditions
- The majority of immigrants lived in shanty towns
- It was extremely difficult for the Irish to find jobs, however many found jobs building canals
- Today, over 36 million Irish reside in America
- Emphasis on consumption of meat, cereals, breads, and potatoes
- Meals are high in protein and low in fruits and vegetables
- Four meals are eaten throughout the day: breakfast, dinner (what we know to be lunch), tea, and supper
- Fish, especially salmon, is very popular
- Irish immigrants brought to North America the hearty "Meat & Potatoes" cuisine
- A traditional Irish dish is Colcannon. It was introduced to the United States in the 1800s, coinciding with the influx of Irish immigrants
- Breakfast is a large meal: Oatmeal Porridge, eggs, bacon, homemade bread, butter, and preserves.
- A strong black tea with milk and sugar is served with every meal
- Lunch is the main meal of the day, eaten at home with family: hearty soup, meat, potatoes, vegetables, bread and dessert
- Afternoon tea and a light supper are the two remaining "meals"
- Guinness was founded by Arthur Guinness in 1759 in Dublin
- The Guinness Book of World Records, created in 1955, is apart of the same company
- Guinness Brewery is the number one tourist attraction in Ireland
- In 2001, two billion pints of Guinness were sold, or 10 million glasses per day
- Guinness is Ireland's best selling drink
- There are 198 calories in a pint of Guinness; that's less than the calories contained in a glass of orange juice, or a glass of milk
- Pregnant women are encouraged to drink Guinness as it is high in iron
- Drinking a pint of Guinness is as effective as taking an Aspirin; it is largely credited with preventing blood clots
