Saint Brigid's Day, or Imbolc is a holiday in Ireland that embraces different elements of Irish culture and history. Saint Brigid is one of Ireland's three patron saints in its Catholic tradition. Imbolc is the festival to mark the beginning of spring, celebrated before the arrival of Christianity. Currently, the holiday honors both.
There were festivities all around Dublin, and everyone was given a long weekend. One of the festivities I attended featured a demonstration on the history of brown bread and butter making. This was given by a woman from a farm and bakery in Wicklow, a beautiful area not far from Dublin.
During the demonstration, I got to try some of the buttermilk from the butter I helped to churn. After my hard work, I was given traditional Irish brown bread with rosemary butter from the farm.
I was very excited to try it. I had worked up an appetite! At home, my mom will occasionally make soda bread - another typical Irish bread, but I wouldn't have had this variation. It has a coarser texture, a darker color (hence the name), and a sweeter flavor than many standard breads sold in the U.S.
Ireland is known internationally for the quality of its butter. You may have seen the brand Kerry Gold in the grocery store.
