Local Food
1st July 1938
Long ago the country people lived on Indian meal stirabout and potatoes. There was no tea or flour used that time. In my grand-father's and grand-mother's early days the tea just came to be known to the country people. For a very special occasion such as Christmas people would purchase a small quantity of tea and also a small quantity of flour. This was prepared for the feast and it was thought a great treat. Soon after that people started to buy it oftener and in larger quantities.
Stirabout – Porridge made by stirring oatmeal in boiling water or milk.
“INFORMANT: Mr Corcoran, Age 37, Prison, Balla Co. Mayo”
On Easter Sunday morning we first go to Mass. when we come home we have our breakfast. We make a fire, and we make tea and we have sweet-cakes and eggs in a field if the day is fine.