A proper fry up

We have been eating in a bit more often than we might ordinarily do on our Irish holiday.  Two primary reasons, really.  To save a bit of money during our extended stay and, being a bit out in the country, we can't just walk out the door for coffee and a scone, or a pizza.  So we have been cooking in.  A few nights ago a nice piece of salmon, before that cod and salmon cakes, and last night a nice fusilli pasta with alla vodka sauce and shaved parmigiana reggiano.  And each night a lovely fresh salad with locally grown mixed greens, tomato (that'd be to-mah-to, thank you), carrot, and red pepper.  Now, of course, after dinner I take Candee down to one of the pubs for a crumble and a coffee (read Irish coffee), so we are not completely being stay-at-homes.  It is kind of nice to cook in.  Those who know our schedule at home know that four nights a week Candee gets home from working at the college at 9:30 pm, so dinner is mostly frozen entrees or leftovers from our dinners out on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Our cooking skills have seriously atrophied so it is nice to sit down to a successfully cooked dinner, made with locally sourced ingredients.

The fry up?  Well, that would most accurately describe a proper country breakfast.  Anyone who's had a "full Irish Breakfast" knows that it is a daunting compilation of so many items.  Eggs, bacon or rashers (most like our Canadian bacon), two kinds of sausage (known as puddings - black and white), potatoes, baked beans, sauteed button mushrooms, grilled tomato, breads brown and white, scones, jellies, jams, fine Irish butter, coffee, tea, fresh fruits, fruit in syrup, cereal, porridge.  And I'm sure I've forgotten a thing or two.  In our first few visits, I ate it all and in great quantity (except the puddings).  Now I'm most likely to have a hearty helping of low fat vanilla yogurt with grapes, berries, and granola.  But every once in a while...  every great once in a while....  the fry up!

I am excited to report that Candee and I are to attend a Gaelic football match with Padraic and Marion this evening.  A match between our adopted home county of Mayo and the neighboring rivals of Co Galway.  Mayo has been dominant for a period of time, having been contenders in the quest for the All Ireland -  the "Sam" trophy - for the last several years.  Galway have been patsies of late but are growing in talent and strength and tonight may be a close match.  It's taking place in the neighboring town of Castlebar.  Mayo has not won the Sam since 1951.  They have their own Curse of the Bambino.  It's called the Tinkers' Curse and I'll write about it in my next post...  Up Mayo!