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Port of Call: Our Journey to Dublin, Ireland

Port of Call: Our Journey to Dublin, Ireland

Mar. 15th, 2024

Each month, residents in participating affiliated communities will learn about a different culture through enriching activities, fun facts, and delicious cuisine through the Port of Call program. This March, the Port of Call is to Dublin, Ireland!

About Dublin

The city of Dublin dates back to the 9th century when the Vikings settled on the land.1 The name Dublin originated from “Duiblinn,” which was the name of the monastery the Vikings lived in. Duiblinn is also a combination of Irish words meaning “black pool.”2  Dublin is the capital city of Ireland located in East-central Ireland along the Irish Sea.3

Today, Dublin has over 1.4 million citizens. The vast majority of Dubliners speak English, while only 16,000 speak Irish on a daily basis.4 In addition to native Dubliners, the citizens originating from Poland, the UK, Lithuania, and more live in Dublin.5 Dublin has a maritime climate, with temperatures averaging between 41 and 59 degrees during the year, and rainfall averaging between 2 and 3 inches per month.6

Things to Do in Dublin

Dublin is a beautiful city with a rich history, beautiful coastlines, and many museums and attractions to explore! One of Dublin’s top attractions is the Kilmainham Gaol Museum. The Kilmainham Gaol opened in 1796 and served as a jail for those who committed petty crimes, as well as those who were fighting for Ireland’s Independence. Since 1986, the Kilmainham Gaol serves as a museum where you can take a guided tour and learn more about Ireland’s history and the fight for independence.7

If you like to be outdoors, you can visit Dollymount Strand Beach! Dollymount Strand is located in Northeastern Dublin on North Bull Island. After you take a swim in the Irish Sea, you can walk along the sand with your family. If you want to do something more adventurous, you can go to Pure Magic Watersports and learn how to kitesurf or paddle board.  If you get hungry, you can visit Happy Out Café located at the beginning of the beach.8

If you are in Dublin on a rainy day, you can take the Cork and Blarney Rail Tour! The train will depart from Dublin Heuston Station and take you on a journey south to the Blarney Castle & Gardens, Cobh Cathedral, and Heritage Center. You will get the opportunity to tour these locations and learn more about these historic sites. Once you have explored these locations, the train will transport you back to the Dublin Heuston Station!9

Do you want to see some of Dublin’s buildings and historical sites up close? If so, you can take the original Dublin Walking Tour. While you are on your tour, an expert guide will take you to several landmarks including Dublin Castle, the Ha’Penny Bridge, Trinity College, and more. Additionally, you will learn about Ireland’s Revolutionary War, Irish customs, and Irish culture.10

Food in Dublin

Dublin’s early settlers ate mostly seafood. This is because they could not find a source of food inland, so they went along the coast to gather food, such as oysters, scallops, and muscles. In the 1700s, potatoes arrived in Ireland and became a staple of Dubliner cuisine.11

Today, Dubliner food consists mostly of hearty comfort food with some nods to its seafood roots. Here are some staple dishes Dubliners regularly enjoy:

  • Boxty (Potato) Pancakes. Boxty pancakes are an Irish breakfast staple made up of raw and mashed potatoes, flour, and milk. Traditionally, the pancakes are served with butter on top.12
  • Coddle. Coddle is a stew that consists of potatoes, bacon, sausages, onion, and broth. This dish can be the main entrée for either lunch or dinner.13
  • Soda Bread. Soda bread is a dense bread made up of flour, buttermilk, baking soda, and milk. You can serve soda bread as a breakfast side, or eat it as a snack.14
  • Oysters. Oysters are a very popular dish in Dublin. They are commonly served alongside a glass of Guinness.15
  • Colcannon. Colcannon is a potato dish that consists of butter, cabbage, onions, and milk. It can make a great side dish for your lunch or dinner.16

Our Menu

The Dietary Department made a menu for the upcoming Port of Call. Here is the menu and its correlating recipes. Please keep in mind that these recipes are customized for the communities, but feel free to tailor the recipes to fit your needs! This menu is subject to change.  

Irish Colcannon Soup:

  • 10 LBS of Cabbage Shredded Cole Slaw Mix
  • 5 TBSP of Chicken Base
  • 35 CUPS of Chicken Broth
  • 2 TBSP of Minced Garlic
  • 1 CUP of Vinegar
  • 1 TBSP of Salt
  • 1 TBSP of Ground Black Pepper
  • 3 CUPS of Diced Onion
  • 3 CUPS of Diced Celery
  • 4 CUPS of Heavy Cream
  • 1 CUP of Sliced Green Onion or Sliced Chives
  • 2 CUPS of Softened Butter
  • 2 CUPS of All-Purpose Flour
  • 4 CUPS of Potato Powder

Method:

  1. In a large stock pot, sauté all vegetables in butter, add flour, and keep mixing for a few minutes.
  2. Add chicken base, vinegar, seasoning and broth. Bring to a boil and reduce heat.
  3. Add cream and potato powder. Keep stirring until a smooth consistency is reached. Add chives.

Irish Corned Beef Stew with Potato and Vegetables:

  • 5 LBS of Corned Beef Brisket Cooked Bulk Diced 1"
  • 4 CUPS of Diced Carrots
  • 4 CUPS of Diced Onions
  • 4 Cups of Diced Celery
  • 2 Diced and Can Dried Potatoes
  • 1 TBSP of Salt
  • 1 TBSP of Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 TBSP of Dried Thyme
  • 1 TBSP of Dried Rosemary
  • 4 TBSP of Olive Oil
  • 16 CUPS of Beef Broth
  • 1 CUP of Butter
  • 1 CUP of Flour

Method:

  1. Sauté carrots, celery, and onion in oil, add flour and butter, and continue sautéing for a few minutes.
  2. Add broth, herbs and seasoning. Bring to a boil and add meat and potatoes.
  3. Simmer for 10 minutes and then serve.

Green Peas Sautéed Irish Style:

  • 16 LBS of Frozen Peas
  • 4 CUPS of Diced Onions
  • 1 CUP of Butter
  • 1 TBSP of Salt
  • 1 TBSP of Ground Black Pepper
  • 4 TBSP of Granulated Sugar
  • 5 TBSP of Lemon Juice

Method:

  1. Sauté onions in butter and sugar until caramelized. Add lemon juice and seasoning.
  2. Fold in frozen peas slowly and mix well until well coated.

Irish Coffee and Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake:

  • 4 CUPS of Coffee and Cream Chilled
  • 3 LBS of Cheese Cake Mix
  • 6 CUPS of Graham Cracker Fine Plain
  • 3 CUPS of Hot Chocolate Mix
  • 2 CUPS of Melted Butter
  • 6 CUPS of Nutella
  • 6 CUPS of Lukewarm Milk

Method:

  1. Combine graham crackers, butter, and chocolate powder. Mix well until a wet crumble.
  2. Stretch chocolate graham crumble evenly on a sheet pan.
  3. Combine milk, coffee crème, and cheesecake mix. Whisk until a runny thick consistency is reached.
  4. Pour over graham cracker mix and spread evenly with a spatula. Put in the cooler for 2 hours.
  5. Warm up the Nutella in a microwave or over boiling water. Then pour over cheesecake and spread.
  6. Using a sharp serrated knife (bread knife), cut the cake into 2.5" x 2.5" squares.

Activities for the Port of Call:

The affiliated Life Enrichment Departments will offer fun and educational activities that celebrate the culture of Dublin. All activities are subject to change. Here are some examples of the activities the affiliated communities plan to offer.

Dresher Hill Health & Rehabilitation

Dresher Hill is planning on coloring shamrocks, playing Ireland trivia, learning Irish dancing, and making Irish potatoes!

Grand Rapids Care Center

Grand Rapids plans on offering an Ireland flag craft, baking a leprechaun cake, and enjoying an Irish snack bar.

Shore Health & Rehab Center

Shore is planning on baking Irish soda bread, watching a documentary on Ireland, and making bird feeders!

Saber Healthcare

Saber Healthcare is an organization that provides consulting services to more than 130 buildings across the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, and Delaware. To learn more about our company and services, click here.

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long-term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.

Sources

  1. “Dublin City.” discoveringIreland vacations. Accessed 27 February 2024. Link: https://www.discoveringireland.com/dublin-city/
  2. “HISTORY AND SOCIETY.” Accessed 27 February 2024. Link: https://dublin.ie/live/life-in-dublin/history-society/
  3. “Dublin.” New World Encyclopedia. Accessed 27 February 2024. Link: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dublin
  4. “Press Statement Census Population 2022 – Summary Results Dublin.” Central Statistics Office. Accessed 27 February 2024. Link: https://www.cso.ie/en/cstolatestnews/pressreleases/pressstatementcensusofpopulation2022-summaryresultsdublin/
  1. “Census 2016 – Non-Irish Nationalities Living in Ireland.” Central Statistics Office. Accessed 27 February 2024. Link: https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cpnin/cpnin
  2. “Dublin Airport 1991-2020 averages.” Met É Accessed 27 February 2024. Link: https://www.met.ie/cms/assets/uploads/2023/07/wwww_met_ie_dublin_9120-1.htm
  3. “Kilmainham Gaol Museum.” Office of Public Works. Accessed 28 February 2024. Link: https://www.kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie/
  4. “Dublin’s 10 best beaches.” Visit Dublin. Accessed 28 February 2024. Link: https://www.visitdublin.com/guides/best-dublin-beaches
  5. “Cork and Blarney Castle Rail Tour from Dublin.” Accessed 28 February 2024. Link: https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g186605-d11448767-Cork_and_Blarney_Castle_Rail_Tour_from_Dublin-Dublin_County_Dublin.html
  6. “Original Dublin Walking Tour.”
  7. Hickey, Kate. “The fascinating 8,000-year history of Irish cuisine.” Accessed 27 February 2024. Link: https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/food-drink/history-irish-food
  8. “Dublin food & drink guide: 10 things to try in Dublin, Ireland.” World Travel Guide. Accessed 27 February 2024. Link: https://worldoffoodanddrink.worldtravelguide.net/dublin-food-drink-guide-10-things-to-try-in-dublin-ireland/
  9. Cloake, Felicity. “How to make the perfect Dublin coddle – recipe.” Accessed 27 February 2024. Link: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/nov/15/how-to-make-the-perfect-dublin-coddle-recipe-felicity-cloake
  10. Morrissey, Ellen. “All About Traditional Irish Soda Bread – and the Best Way to Enjoy It.” martha stewart. Accessed 27 February 2024. Link: https://www.marthastewart.com/8038033/irish-soda-bread-explained#:~:text=This%20versatile%20bread%20works%20for,as%20a%20late%2Dnight%20snack.
  1. Balston, Catherine. “Top 10 foods to try in Ireland.” BBC goodfood. Accessed 27 February 2024. Link: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/travel/uk/top-10-foods-try-ireland
  2. Bauer, Elise. “Colcannon.” Simply Recipes. Accessed 27 February 2024. Link: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/colcannon/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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