Shellfish

In September, you can sample plump, native west coast oysters (O strea edulis), and there are festivals including the Galway Oyster Festival (September 28-30) and the Dublin Bay prawn festival in Howth each May.

Stew (Irish stew)

Traditionally made with lamb, onions and potatoes, sometimes pearl barley, roux or a spoonful of thinly sliced potatoes are added to prevent the stew from becoming watery. Nowadays, lamb suet is also available.

Colcanon

A classic, popular home-cooked meal made with potatoes, cabbage (or kale), butter (or cream), and spring onions. In Ireland, potatoes have a bitter history and are held in high esteem.

Boxty

Mix grated raw potatoes with mashed potatoes, then mix with flour and salt, boil, then slice thinly and fry in butter. Serve with bacon and eggs or smoked salmon and crème fraîche.

Smoked salmon

Smoked salmon is a must-try. Burren Smokehouse oak smoked salmon, Connemara Smokehouse beech smoked salmon and Haven Smokehouse grass smoked salmon are famous.

Coddle

A Dublin dish, usually made with weekend leftovers from home, slowly simmered in the oven for hours, served with sausage or leftover boiled bacon, thinly sliced potatoes and onions, seasoned with salt and pepper.