Do the Irish really eat corned beef and cabbage on St. Pat's Day or any day at all?

It's not common in Ireland at all, actually.

The reason why people eat it in the U.S. is: many of the Irish who emigrated here did so during the 1840's, and were very poor. Among the poor Irish at this time, the big festive meal you ate on holidays was ham or bacon with cabbage, and when they came to this country, they either couldn't find exactly the right kind of bacon or couldn't afford it; corned beef was the closest thing they could find, so they had that instead. So other Americans saw all these Irish immigrants eating corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick's Day and assumed that that's what they ate over in Ireland as well, and so then they started serving corned beef and cabbage "just like real Irish people do", and it became an Irish-American tradition.

Personally, I know several actually Irish dishes that are better, but corned beef and cabbage does have a place in Irish-American tradition.

Those other people just don't appreciate corned beef and cabbage. By the way "old cock" where do you get your corned beef?

We always have corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrrot, peas pudding and dumplings on St. Pat's day. It's a tradition in our family too.

GOOD GRIEF - NOT BEEF!

I just want to put something straight

About what should be on your plate,

If it's corned beef you're makin'

You're sadly mistaken,

That isn't what Irishmen ate.

If you ever go over the pond

You'll find it's of bacon they're fond,

All crispy and fried,

With some cabbage beside,

And a big scoop of praties beyond.

Your average Pat was a peasant

Who could not afford beef or pheasant.

On the end of his fork

Was a bit of salt pork,

As a change from potatoes 'twas pleasant.

This custom the Yanks have invented,

Is an error they've never repented,

But bacon's the stuff

That all Irishmen scoff,

With fried cabbage it is supplemented.

So please get it right this St. Paddy's.

Don't feed this old beef to your daddies.

It may be much flasher,

But a simple old rasher,

Is what you should eat with your tatties.

©Frances Shilliday 2004

Corned Beef Ireland

Corned beef is NOT Irish.

Corned beef IS Irish-American.

The Irish who came to America were poor, very poor.

So they ate what was CHEAP.

Last half of the 1800s, corned beef was cheap.

And for the record,

Cinco de Mayo (May 5th)

is celebrated more in the USA

than it is in Mexico.

16 de Septiembre

(September 16th)

is the big celebration in Mexico

(Mexico's Independence Day)

No, we don't. Born, reared in Ireland, currently living in the US. Traditionally it's Bacon and cabbage. Corned beef came from necessity among the Irish immigrants.And the guy that said "everything" is boiled..... my mum makes a feckin fabulous pizza and chips (french fries)

Bingalee, happy St Patrick's Day to you guys down there. We are going to the parade, then we have a table booked at McKinnleys Irish Pub for a late lunch.

I'm Irish (not too much though) and my family has corn-beef and cabbage on St. Patrick's day in tradition so yes.

No love we eat food like you lot in the US. I've had corned beef about 2 or 3 times in my 27 years. I hate potatoes btw. Believe it or not :) People have these stereotypical ideas about us that are totally untrue.

Don't worry if we eat it any other time. If it's something that you have good memories of family whilst doing it, then do it when you want to. Remember one thing about the Irish, and that's family IS important. And save some for me!

no.we do not.

your ignorance astounds me.corned beef is english fare and pretty tasteless at that.it was invented during WW2 to feed people.traditional fare consists of colcannon or champ, which is mashed potatoes with butter/milk and a bit of onion or cabbage and stew.most food was boiled, but nowdays we eat more, international modern food.

I got your message.i didnt mean to offend, its i often get americans who are quite nasty, insisting that i should live up to their expectations on how they think being irish is.