Food Traditions

Northern Ireland has a distinctive food tradition and heritage influenced by the geography, climate and the long history of the people.

Home Baking

Northern Ireland’s rich and unique bakery tradition is a delight for most visitors. In contrast to the rest of the British Isles, where bakeries have all but disappeared, most market towns and villages in Northern Ireland still have bustling businesses, often in their second or third generation.

Local people are hugely loyal to these home bakeries; however few know that the distinctive griddle breads made with buttermilk is unique to Northern Ireland. Fewer still can believe that the deliciously simple, oven-baked breads or the humble confectionery that they buy on a daily basis inspire envy and even awe amongst visitors.

Soda bread, potato farls and drop scones, wheaten and batch breads, and a selection of savouries, cakes and biscuits are the cornerstones for traditional bakeries. While each will also develop variations of fruit studded cakes, scones and sticky sweet ‘wee buns’ or ‘tray bakes’.