11 Comments
User's avatar
Anne McMahon's avatar

I’m amazed at how much there is to say about Irish bread, Jp. And how it was embedded into Brehon Law. Enjoying the read.

Expand full comment
Carol Mc Mahon's avatar

Is é an t-arán crann seasta na beatha! Old Irish proverb, Bread is the staff of life! Your article certainly shows how important bread was in ancient Ireland.

The Scottish celts were equally fond of their bread. One of their sayings runs: Cha bhòrd gun aran ach ‘s bòrd aran leis fhèin. (’A table without bread is not a table, but bread is a table on its own.’) Very similar to Irish Gaelic.

Great wisdom in the old proverbs.

Expand full comment
John and Sally McKenna's avatar

How interesting to read about bread and status.

Expand full comment
Jp McMahon's avatar

Indeed. To think that's it's so ubiquitous now.

Expand full comment
Caroline McCormick-Clarke🐆🧀🎨✍️'s avatar

Fascinating - I had no idea about the impact of Brehon laws on hospitality responsibilities and bread types. I’ve learnt alit - thank you.

Expand full comment
Jp McMahon's avatar

Glad you enjoyed

Expand full comment
Chris Brownlow's avatar

Came across a potential reference to sourdough in PW Joyce book "A Social History of Ancient Ireland " Vol 2. The native word "descaid" was used in souring dough or leaven

Expand full comment
Jp McMahon's avatar

Will check that out. Thanks.

Expand full comment
Chris Brownlow's avatar

Page 143!

Expand full comment
Jeff Turner's avatar

Vous mangez du pain, vous vivrez bien … seen on a sign at an old water mill on the Tardoire river in the Charente… was saved by the departement and developed as a community wood fired bake house for local school children… to teach them the importance of their baking heritage

Expand full comment
Jeff Turner's avatar

Wonderful thank you

Expand full comment