Irish people love a cup of tea any time of day. Whether it's a first cup of hot tea in the morning for breakfast, or the last sip of milky tea in the evening for supper, most Irish people savor their cups of tea throughout the day.
Did you know that Ireland ranks second in the tea drinking per capita global tally?
Table of Contents
Top Tea Drinking Nations In The World
Turkey ranks number one on the list where people consume an average of 12.96 pounds of tea per person for year. In Ireland our tea usage amounts to 4.83 pounds of dry tea leaves per person per year according to sources on Wikipedia.
Now that's a whopping amount of tea per capita each year. In Ireland we even soak fruit in tea to make a delicious tea brack to accompany our favorite beverage.
To celebrate the upcoming holidays I thought we should kick off a season of weekly giveaways with a prize for none other than an Irish tea and cookie hamper from Food Ireland.
You'll find all kinds of Irish food available on their online store. You can check out my roundup of some of the goodies they keep in stock if you're thinking about treating yourself to a taste of Ireland over the holidays.
Let's explore some of the history of tea drinking in Ireland before I share the giveaway details. You'll find all the information at the end of this post if you'd like to be in with a chance to win this lovely gift basket.
The Introduction Of Tea To Ireland
The English first introduced tea to Ireland in the mid 18th century, after it was initially brought to Britain in the 17th century by the East India Company.
Since tea was imported all the way from India it was a very expensive product when it first appeared in Britain. Only the aristocracy and ultra rich people of the day could afford to drink tea and even they kept the precious dried leaves under lock and key.
Catherine of Braganza, who was the wife of Charles II of England made tea drinking fashionable by introducing the ritual of drinking tea to the English Royal Court. And so to keep up with the royal Jonses, the aristocracy of England took to drinking tea like ducks to water. The Anglo Irish aristocracy were not far behind adopting a royally approved tea drinking habit.
At first the poor rural people of Ireland could not afford tea. However the cost of this luxury beverage fell significantly after the removal of tariffs in 1784 (remember the Boston tea party escapades that all revolved around tariffs on tea).
Adoption Of Tea Drinking By The Rural Irish Poor
The price of tea fell by half with the removal of these royal taxes. The less well off folk throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland started testing this warming brew.
Along Ireland's rugged coastline pirates smuggled cheap tea to sell to a vast market of impoverished Irish peasants.
Believe it or not, tea was one of the most smuggled goods in Ireland throughout the 1700's. Irish consumers, even the poor, welcomed the cheap, unofficial tea provided by the entrepreneurial sea faring traders.
By the 1830's before the Great Irish Famine, tea had become a staple in most Irish homes, even amongst the poor.
English Attempts To Control Irish Tea Drinking
Some English reformers frowned on the Irish habit of drinking tea. Yes! You read that correctly. They complained about tea drinking, not whiskey drinking.
Pamphlets distributed in Ireland in the early 1800's described Irish tea consumption as "reckless and uncontrollable." They went so far as to say the addiction to tea could cause "illicit longing and revolutionary sympathies." Imagine what a drop of hot whiskey could do to our rebellious natures, if we got so riled up with a simple cup of tea.
These reformers and do gooders disapproved of the fact that Irish women drank cups upon cups of tea. Women in those days should have no vices. The women of the British Empire were expected to quietly organize the home and maintain rigorous control over their families.
Irish women's affinity for tea-drinking was a source of considerable alarm amongst the ruling classes.
Mary Leadbeater, author of a fictional pamphlet called the Cottage Dialogues in 1811, documented unsubstantiated connections between tea drinking and revolutionary feminism. She definitely would not approve of anyone enjoying a Long Island Iced Tea.
In 1813 Leadbeater returned to the topic of tea drinking amongst the poor in another pamphlet called The Landlord's Friend.
One character in this story was Lady Seraphina. She was presented as an improving landowner who disapproved of tea drinking. When visiting a peasant's cabin the lady observes that there is an absence of tea-cups in the kitchen.
Winny, the peasant character in the story, replies to the lady with an explanation I'm quite certain no Irish peasant ever exclaimed.
"We never were used to tea, and would not choose that our little girl should get a notion of any such thing. The hankering after a drop of tea keeps many poor all their lives. So I would not have any things in the cabin which would put us in mind of it." ~ Winny from The Landlord's Friend, 1813
For me, this quotation emphasizes the desire of the ruling classes to keep the Irish and the poor in their place, at the bottom of the social ladder.
This criticism of tea drinking by poor people was not limited to Ireland. The aristocracy throughout the British Isles believed tea-drinking by the poor indicated pretensions toward upward social mobility, which was seriously frowned upon. Working class priorities were expected to remain on work and work alone. Adoption of modern fashions and trends by the poor was not to be tolerated by the privileged few of the day.
Celebrating Irish Tea Drinking
Well in this corner of the internet, we embrace the Irish cultural habit of enjoying a cup of hot tea, and thankfully tea drinking is no longer frowned upon in the Emerald Isle. Today's story of Irish tea history is fascinating to me so I hope you too enjoyed this ramble through Irish cultural history.
Our giveaway this week will put you in mind of a cup of tea, unlike poor Winny in 1813 who shunned the brew.
We'll celebrate our Irish love of tea with a lovely hamper giveaway featuring two boxes of Irish tea bags and a few packets of Irish chocolate biscuits from Food Ireland.
Barry's has been a favorite Irish tea brand for over a century. Their tea bags are a blend of black tea leaves that make the best cup of hot tea. Since Barry's is a company that was founded in County Cork, I grew up drinking Barry's tea.
Today Barry's tea is exported all over the world and their sales represent 40% of the Irish tea market.
The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win an Irish tea and cookie gift hamper from Food Ireland.
To enter just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Saturday November 21st, 2020.
Any comment will do. What you write does not affect your chance of winning, but if you need inspiration why not tell us if you like a nice cup of tea.
A winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won't be published, just used to contact our lucky contestant for mailing of the prize.
The winner will be announced on Saturday, November 21st, 2020 at the bottom of this blog post.
You may check out Irish American Mom's complete terms and conditions for sweepstakes' entries by clicking here.
And thank you to all who join in the fun and support this giveaway.
Go ahead and share this post with any of your tea loving friends and family so they too can be in with a chance to win.
Update: Winner Chosen
Our winner has been randomly chosen using the Pick Giveaway Winner Plug-in for WordPress.
And the lucky reader is ….
Peggy D.
I'll send Peggy an email to arrange mailing of her prize. A big thank you to everyone for supporting this giveaway by leaving comments. I thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every comment.
Please know that even if I did not get the chance to reply to your individual comment, I treasured reading about your love of a good cup of tea and your trips to Ireland. I was blown away by the number of comments and interest in this little giveaway. Thank you all for supporting this little community and for your kind words about my recipes and ramblings.
Stay tuned for many more stories and giveaways over the coming weeks and months.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
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Deedee
Love your blog!!! This one on tea was especially interesting to me because I have such wonderful memories of time spent with my grandma drinking tea with soda bread. Today, I still love tea with a slice of Irish soda bread from my her recipe.
Irish American Mom
Thanks for your kind words about my blog, Deedee. So glad this post kindled fond memories for you.
All the best,
Mairéad
Jill
I look forward to your mails!! Your recipes and knowledge of Ireland is wonderful. Happy to enter this giveaway.
Irish American Mom
Hi Jill - Lovely to know you look forward to my emails. Thanks so much for subscribing to my list.
All the best,
Mairéad
Judith M Gonzales
I like a nice cup of tea on a cold day when your feeling blue. I would rather be outside and doing something. Lately we go feed our neighbors rabbits they have 33 of them they are so precious to me and my husband. Now with the cold weather coming on we don't do it as much only when the weather permits. So it gets blue being in the house. So a good cup of tea is soothing for the soul.
Irish American Mom
Hi Judith - Being cooped up indoors is going to be difficult this winter, so hopefully our cups of tea will help us through the winter blues.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mary Verlinde
I like to drink tea with some almond milk and bit os sugar. Sometimes I'll add a splash of Jamesons too!
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary - A dash of Jameson's will warm the cockles of your heart, a great addition to any cup of tea, especially on a cold winter's day.
All the best,
Mairéad
Phyllis Ferrel
Greetings and Warm Thoughts,
What a smile you have shared with us this sunny, but chilly Sunday here in Iowa, USA. I really enjoyed the information/story about the history of tea in Ireland. Sometimes we get stuck in our own country's history. This will remain with me as I enjoy my cups of tea. With our world facing this frightening COVID-19, a warm/hot cup of Irish tea brings a calm over my body.
Thank you for keeping in touch with us and sharing the wonderful recipes and
Irish American Mom
Hi Phyllis - Thanks so much for following my recipes and ramblings and for joining our little conversation about all things tea today. I'm delighted to learn you enjoy my blog and look forward to my emails. Thanks again.
All the best,
Mairéad
Barbara Karr
I so look forward to your monthly newsletters! I save them because they offer such comfort about the people I came from who are no longer with me. The wonderful stories you spin warm my heart. I had my own teacup at three and have been drinking it with milk ever since. That was 71 years ago. Thanks for your lovely newsletter!
Irish American Mom
Hi Barbara - Your kind words have warmed my heart. It's lovely to know my recipes and ramblings are so appreciated. Sometimes I ask myself why do you spend so much time on a blog and it's responses like yours that validate why I so enjoy connecting with others who love their Irish heritage.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Cindy Thomson
I love reading this history. Thank you. I love tea (although just black) so when I visited Ireland I was perfectly fine with all the times people wanted to serve it.
Irish American Mom
Hi Cindy - Tea truly is the go to beverage for when visitors come by in Ireland. It's great because unlike specialty drinks it's always in the cupboard and easy to make. Thanks for stopping by to check out this little bit of tea history.
All the best,
Mairéad
Audrey Stewart
My Grandpa was 100% Irish. I used to love the stories he told. I have been saving up my money for a couple of years now because I want to visit Ireland. Now with the Pandemic, I'm sure it will be a couple of years before I can go.
Irish American Mom
Hi Audrey - I hope you make it to Ireland someday in the not too distant future. It will be wonderful to visit the land of your ancestors.
All the best,
Mairéad
Glenda
Love Food Ireland! My favorite is Brennan’s batch loaves. Toasted and spread with Kerrygold butter is the breakfast of champions!
Irish American Mom
Hi Glenda - I love batch bread, but that's no surprise since I grew up in Dublin, the home of the batch loaf. I remember going to the shop to buy a fresh batch loaf for my mom when I was a little girl. When the loaf is still warm the outside layer of soft bread is simply delicious. As I walked home I picked a little bit off the outside of the bread. It was so delicious I tried another bit, then another bit. By the time I got home the loaf of bread had a waistline. I had to turn on my heels and go straight back to the shop for another loaf.
All the best,
Mairéad
Cheri Whitaker
Thank you so much for posting such wonderful and interesting history and recipes. I look forward to reading each and everyone of them with my “Cuppa”
Many Thanks,
Cheri Whitaker
Irish American Mom
Hi Cheri - Thanks so much for subscribing for my updates. I really appreciate it. Lovely to learn that you too enjoy a good cup of tea.
All the best,
Mairéad
Deidre Moore
Very interesting article. I love the Irish way of tea in a lovely cup with saucer in the afternoon along with a bite of something delicious. It reminds me how important it is to take that little moment and make it something special.
Slainté!
Deidre
Irish American Mom
Hi Deidre - When I was growing up my sisters and I enjoyed a lovely cup of tea with a scone or a slice of soda bread whenever with got home from school. And tea is always best when served in a china cup. Thanks for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
Pat Fordyce
Always love reading your newsletter and recipes. Thanks for the opportunity for the giveaway.
Irish American Mom
Thanks for all your support, Pat. So glad you enjoy my recipes and ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Kathleen Curtis Wolf
I find it funny that the English were more worried about the Irish drinking tea vs. whiskey. Well, with the damp cold that the Irish endure, I can see that either one would be a good remedy! Seeing that I'm not a coffee drinker, I've found that I'm drinking more tea as the cold Michigan mornings are starting to get even colder. Thanks for the entry into the giveaway! Slainte!
Irish American Mom
Hi Kathleen - I find our social history intriguing. British society was very tiered and keeping people within their own socio economic groups was important to those at the top. Tea was a sign of wealth when it was first introduced, so those in power were not too pleased when the masses took to drinking the hot brew. But truly, tea is the perfect beverage for cold, damp climates.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Kristina
Thanks for always coming up with the coziest, most connected post! There’s nothing better than Irish tea and biscuits.!
Irish American Mom
Thanks for reading my ramblings, Kristina.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sue Guggenberger
Tea is what makes the world go round... ties us all together, make the day better, and helps me to be healthy! Tie this together with the passion I have for Ireland, and it makes for a great tea party. Love a loyal reader!
Irish American Mom
Thanks for being such a loyal reader. I love how you say that tea makes the world go round. So true!
All the best,
Mairéad
Bob Moore
My Irish nana taught me how to make tea. Always put the milk in the teacup, before you pour in the tea.
Irish American Mom
Hi Bob - My father puts the milk in before pouring, and my mother adds her milk after pouring. The proper way is a subject of great debate. Thanks so much for stopping by and adding your grandma's tea making tips to our conversation.
All the best,
Mairéad
Kitty
When I was growing up in Chicago having tea was a way to talk things over and if necessary to calm down. I jokingly refer to tea as "Irish Valium". Whenever I have friends over I offer them tea and goodies.
Irish American Mom
Hi Kitty - "Irish Valium" is a wonderful name for tea. Thanks so much for sharing your Irish wit with us here. Your tradition of offering guests tea and goodies is very Irish - lovely to know that our traditions continue in Chicago and the US.
All the best,
Mairéad
Joyce Costigan
I love your stories and history of Ireland and I consider your recipes as comfort food.
Irish American Mom
Hi Joyce - Thanks so much for reading my ramblings and trying out my recipes. Comfort food is high praise indeed for my Irish fare. I truly believe Irish food is comfort food at its finest.
Best wishes
Mairéad
Zee Johnston
Love your blog, and so timely! I am gifting my grand daughter a tea set for Christmas with hopes to teach her about a proper tea! And Barry’s is my favorite.
Irish American Mom
Hi Zee - What a wonderful Christmas gift for your grand daughter. I love gifts with cultural significance. Thanks for supporting our little giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Nancy S.
What an informative blog post. Thank you. I cannot imagine anyone thinking tea a vice. I am grateful for a chance to be in the give away. Thank you.
Irish American Mom
Hi Nancy - Thank you for reading this little piece about Irish tea history. And many thanks for joining our discussion and supporting this giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Jamie Evans
What a great website! I studied abroad in Ireland and have been searching for some of my favorite snacks! Thanks for the link and the giveaway!
Irish American Mom
Hi Jamie - Thanks for checking out my website and giving it your seal of approval. I'm so glad this post helped you find some Irish snacks in American.
Take care,
Mairéad
Mary Beth Kwasek
Hello,
I enjoy all the information you share in your emails and blog posts. Lately, I have been interested in Irish cooking with seaweed. It’s such a new and fun thing to try!
Thanks!
Mary Beth
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary Beth - Cooking with seaweed has long been part of the traditional cuisine in the coastal parts of Ireland, especially in the counties on the western shores. In County Cork carrageen moss is a milk pudding made with a type of seaweed. I must source some carrageen and make the recipe for my blog. Thanks for the inspiration.
All the best,
Mairéad
LAURA NASIATKA
Love your recipes and the history and stories that go along with them! Here's to our Irish heritage!! Love a cup o tea
Irish American Mom
Hi Laura - I agree - here's to our Irish heritage. We can always celebrate it with a cup of tea.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
John Ongena
Give me reckless and uncontrollable any day. A good cuppa cures many ills
John
Irish American Mom
Hi John - And even if those cups of tea rile us up to rebelliousness, we'll savor them.
All the best,
Mairéad
Melissa Martin Ellis
If I win this hamper, I will be delighted but I will send it to my daughter in the US, as I have retired to Ireland and can get me Barrys and biscuits on here in West Cork anytime I like!
Mairead, you do a really fabulous job with this blog and I want to tell you, I've enjoyed it for many, many years. You kept hope alive in me when I was stuck in the States, waiting for my house to sell so I could get over here. Your stories and recipes brightened my day and helped me keep the dream alive. Thanks very much for being there and please, keep up the excellent work.
Irish American Mom
Hi Melissa - I'm thrilled to hear you've moved to Ireland to retire, and you've picked my favorite corner of our little island - West Cork. Thanks for being such a loyal reader, and I'm thrilled to read that my stories helped you bring your dream to life. Wishing you years f happiness, drinking tea and enjoying life in West Cork.
Le gach dea-ghuí,
(with every good wish)
Mairéad
SUSAN Nason
Love your blogs; it’s almost as if we’re having our tea and a friendly chat. My grandparents were from Waterford and Cootehill. We were able to visit both spots several years ago. Such a beautiful land filled with lovely, warm people. ❤️
Irish American Mom
Hi Susan - I too like to think of my blog as a place where I can have a virtual cuppa tea and a chat with readers who love Ireland like I do. I'm delighted to hear you were lucky enough to visit Ireland and retrace the steps of your ancestors. It's lovely to know you felt welcomed by the Irish people.
All the best,
Mairéad
Anita Carol Gambrell
The hamper is super nice! The treats would be awesome. I just got my dna analysis and Yes I got a lot of Irish! Maybe that explains the pull to your blog, many years ago. I have been following you through email. I enjoy your posts. Thank you!
Irish American Mom
Hi Anita - It's lovely to learn that your DNA test explains the connection you feel to Ireland. I really appreciated you subscribing for my updates. Thanks for being such a loyal reader.
All the best,
Mairéad
Karen Marciante
There’s nothing like a nice hot cup of tea to make the world slow down . Love your blog and your phonetic guides to pronunciation of Gaelic phrases . Thank you !
Irish American Mom
Hi Karen - I'm so glad you find my phonetic guides helpful. I may not be an expert linguist but I know every little bit helps when trying to understand a new language. Thanks so much for reading my blog.
All the best,
Mairéad
Terry Goff
I like a good rich tea with some Bushmills. Love the Bushmills. Might try some Bushmills with a little tea next time.
Love your blog. I eat Keto now so, I have to try to keto-ize the recipes.
Irish American Mom
Hi Terry - Rich Tea are lovely biscuits and especially when dunked in a hot cup of tea. They'd probably be extra delicious with a cuppa spiked with a little Bushmills.
Thanks for stopping by.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
JAYNE GAUTREAU
I grew up in Northern Ireland but live now in Oregon! Drinking tea is part of my daily night time routine! I really miss the social aspect of tea drinking here! When I go home it’s part of everyday, you sit down and enjoy it as a family who ever will Join you! Thanks for this wonderful giveaway!
Irish American Mom
Hi Jayne - I definitely believe it's the chat that goes along with a cuppa is what makes Irish tea drinking so special and such an important part of our cultural heritage. Simple rituals carry deep significance. Thanks for stopping by for our virtual cuppa tea and a chat.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Mary Chancellor
I enjoyed reading this while drinking my tea!
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary - Thanks for checking out this post. I hope you enjoyed your cuppa as you read.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Brigid O'Hara Koshko
Love your blog! It is a dream of mine to visit Ireland. Your blog gives me a little glimpse of what I hope to see in person one day. Thank you so much!
Irish American Mom
Hi Brigid - I hope you make it to Ireland someday in the not too distant future. In the meantime, I'll keep sharing my ramblings and recipes to help you feel more connected to our homeland. Thanks for stopping by.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Michele
I absolutely love a hot cup of tea. One of the things that has kept me going after my recent heart surgery (don't tell my dr - I was told no caffeine). And the thought of the English being disturbed about the Irish drinking tea, but no worries about whiskey made me giggle! Love and look forward to your blog.
Irish American Mom
Hi Michele - Wishing you the very best as you recover and regain your strength. Not a word about your tea drinking from me, 🙂
Thanks so much for following my recipes and ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Diana Smith
Thank you for you emails and blog posts.
Irish American Mom
Hi Diana - Thanks so much for following my recipes and ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Maureen Koebel
I enjoyed this post on tea very much. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Irish American Mom
Hi Maureen - Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours also. And thanks for stopping by to support this giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Suzanne
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog for a number of years Mairead. It all started with a search on how to cook rutabaga at Thanksgiving! 🦃 I bought some Barry’s tea while visiting Ireland a few years ago. I would really enjoy winning the hamper.
Thanks, Sue
Irish American Mom
Hi Suzanne - We may have been virtually introduced over a lowly rutabaga but we'll continue with virtual cups of tea and a chat. Lovely to hear you were introduced to Barry's tea in Ireland. Thanks for stopping by once again to support this little giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Jeff
Thank you for such a wonderful and heartfelt story about the Irish "obsession" with tea! I'm not a tea drinker, but I might have to try some!
Irish American Mom
Hi Jeff - I think this post and all these wonderful comments reinforce how obsessed we Irish are about our cuppa tea. Thanks for stopping by.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Sherry
Thank you, love Barry's!
Irish American Mom
Hi Sherry - Thanks so much for following my recipes and ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mary-Beth
Loved the history, thank you!
Irish American Mom
And thank you, Mary-Beth, for stopping by to support this giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Patti Hill
You have inspired me to go fix a pot of tea right this minute. Thank you!
Irish American Mom
Hi Patti - Relax and enjoy that cuppa. Thanks so much for following my recipes and ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Christi Caughey
My Dad's side if the family loved tea as do I and a few of my cousins.
My Gramps drank tea lots till the day they died. My Great Grandpa came to Canada and settled there but moved into Michigan when the factories opened in Detroit and moved to the west side of the state following the quiet towns and factories that were making metal parts for the car industries.
Irish American Mom
Hi Christi - Thanks for telling us about how your great grandpa found his way to Michigan via Canada. I think many Irish followed that route.
Thanks also for joining all the tea fans in our little discussion of the Irish and Irish American affinity for a cup of tea.
All the best,
Mairéad
Peggy D
Thank you for the history. Love your blog. I love my tea and drink it all day long.
My Ma and Grandparents started me on it when I was little. Only after visiting Ireland a couple of years ago did I start using Barry's. Get it when I can find it, if not, I drink Lipton.
Irish American Mom
Hi Peggy - Thanks for your kind words about my blog and for being such a loyal reader. I really appreciate it. Here's to many more virtual cups of tea and chats about all things Irish and Irish American. Thanks so much for following my recipes and ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Joan
Nice giveaway. I did not like tea growing up. Now i drink tea and enjoy it with no milk or sugar.
Joan
Irish American Mom
Hi Joan - Thanks for stopping by and supporting this little giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Joan
What a lovely gift to give away...a happy, generous uplift in these times. Barry’s tea is THE best!
Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
I’m always excited to see your wonderful blog. Happy Thanksgiving!
Irish American Mom
Hi Joan - We all need a good cup of tea to lift the spirits in these unusual times. Thanks so much for following my recipes and ramblings and for supporting these little giveaways.
All the best,
Mairéad
Molly Dennehy
I was always curious about how the tea drinking in Ireland became rooted and thoroughly enjoyed reading your history. While I lived for a time in Ireland with my late husband in his native town (Tralee) I was amazed at the amount of tea drinking that went on a daily basis. I never mentioned it to him since he had memories of the 'poor' times and the British oppression, but it struck me that it was very 'British' and civilized to sit down to a 'cuppa'. I did my teacher training in England years ago and was aware of England's presence in India and the tea industry. I did not know that the oppression of the poor spread into tea drinking!
I learned that stopping for a cup of tea during a stressful time was very calming, almost meditative as we sorted out missing a scheduled train, actually anytime there was a crisis, time needed to think and come to a decision. The warmth of a cup when meeting new friends at a hospitable moment for the first time in someone's home.
These are my greatest memories which have affected my life greatly as I head into retirement from public school teaching amid COVID here in America. As Denis often
said to me "keep it country Molly' have a cuppa.
Wonderful, loving advice during stressful times
Irish American Mom
Hi Molly - Thanks for sharing your lovely memories of your husband and how drinking tea was such an important part of your life together. Wishing you all the best for your retirement, and thank you for your career as a teacher, helping to students to grow and learn. I always believe teachers are the back bone of society - they play such an important role. Many thanks also for following my ramblings and joining in our discussions about all things Irish and Irish American. I really appreciate your support.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Heather Kennedy
Lovely post! A good, strong cup of tea is always available at my house. All the best to you!
Irish American Mom
Hi Heather - Sounds like you have a good Irish house when a cuppa is always available. Many thanks for stopping by.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Brittney Hardiman
I love your newsletters and often share them with my local Irish heritage Club. After reading it today I can’t wait to make some fresh scones & relax with a nice cup of tea with a little bit of cream, stevia & wee dram to keep the cold away 🙂
Irish American Mom
Hi Brittney - Thanks so much for sharing my ramblings with your friends at your local Irish Heritage Club. Thanks for being such a loyal reader. Enjoy that wee dram in your tea. 🙂
All the best,
Mairéad
edward o donovan
As usual Mairead you surprise us with so many gems of information.
Tea being my favorite especially Barry's has a long wonderful history which I believe you gave us an accounting some time in the past.
My English teacher in primary school back in Cork told us the story of a notable Victorian author Thomas Carlyle. He was a silent child and the story goes at the age of four he was attending a social when tea was being served. Hot tea was accidentally spilled on his lap and consternation followed but young Thomas finally spoke and said "Thank you Madame I believe the agony has sufficiently abated"
Thought you would like that !
Thank you for your great link.
EdODonovan
Irish American Mom
Hi Edward - Thanks for your kind words about my blog. I love your story about the young Thomas Carlyle. What a wonderful exclamation to introduce himself into the world of conversation. Many thanks for following my ramblings and joining in our discussions about all things Irish and Irish American. I really appreciate your support.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Ann Pike
Pancakes spread with Irish butter and a cup of Irish tea from the pot. Enjoy.
Irish American Mom
Hi Ann - My mouth is watering at the thought of buttered pancakes washed down by a good cup of tea. Thanks so much for following my recipes and ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Brenda Dyer
When other kids were having soda or flavored sugar water, my grandmother and mother raised us on tea. Sun tea, iced tea,or hot, we always had tea.
Cheers!
Irish American Mom
Hi Brenda - Sounds like you were raised in a very Irish family, with a little southern iced tea twist. Many thanks also for following my ramblings and joining in our discussions about all things Irish and Irish American.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Linda
Love your genuine Irish! I look forward to your posts! LOVE some Irish tea in a simple stainless steel tea pot from Kinsale. Tea to start the day and to end the day 🙂
Irish American Mom
Hi Linda - My mom has one of those stainless steel tea pots. They do serve a lovely cuppa. Thanks for being such a loyal reader.
All the best,
Mairéad
Miriam Salvemini
Mairead I love this very informative post. I had no idea as to the history of tea in Ireland. I just know I’d rather go without than drink any tea but Barry’s. Always order from FI also. My late GM in Ireland also loved her tea. When she passed away they found months worth of tea hidden in her apartment. My 93 year old dad just asked me to order several more pounds of his loose Barry’s for his daily “cuppa“- guess it’s genetic 😂. Thanks for a great post! Happy Thanksgiving.
Irish American Mom
Hi Miriam - A stash of tea is a very Irish thing - our grandmother was never going to be without a good cuppa. My mom prefers tea made with loose tea leaves rather than with tea bags. It's the traditional way of making tea. Thanks so much for sharing your family story. And thanks for being such a loyal reader.
All the best,
Mairéad
Melissa Neary
Love this tea and goodies! I look forward to receiving the newsletters and learning more about my Ancestry. We still have tea time with my kids and always tell stories of the past.
Irish American Mom
Hi Melissa - Stories of the past are always best shared over a cup of tea. Thanks for exploring your Irish heritage with me.
All the best,
Mairéad
Lisa Bennett
Start every morning with Barry's tea.
Irish American Mom
Hi Lisa - The perfect start to any day in my book. Thanks for stopping by to support this little giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad