Food in Ancient Ireland

The main staple of the Irish diet of the time was porridge, or stirabout, with dairy products. Bread was also eaten although wheat was the most difficult of the cereal crops grown in that region.

Porridge was generally made of oatmeal and eaten with butter, milk, or honey. It could also be made of wheat or barley meal. Stirabout made on new milk was considered the best, served with honey and fresh butter, but it could be made on buttermilk or water, and served with salt butter. Butter of any kind was the preferred condiment.