The Irish Breakfast Feast

Before I dive into the Irish chapter of my European adventure and the magic of living within castle walls, I have to talk about the Irish breakfast.

I heard breakfast at the castle was a must. After having them, I wholeheartedly agree. Gentle music floated in the background as I gazed out the window at a magnificent view of the large trees, which looked like our native PNW Western red cedar. The owner later confirmed they were cedars. There was also a beautiful, huge Cypress tree.

I took it easy when I first arrived and settled in, still resting up from the haze of travel from Iceland and still a bit light-headed, sleepy-eyed, and jet-lagged. I knew not what I had in store for breakfast the following morning. I had rented one of the self-catering apartments with a kitchen, and breakfast wasn’t included in the package. I opted in by paying extra for breakfast. The price was right, I could skip taking a taxi to town and start my day with a good breakfast.

Breakfast at Killiane Castle in Wexford, Ireland, was a delicious feast, packed with enough protein to power you through the day. During my stay, I bravely sampled nearly everything except the black blood sausage. The thought of blood made me squeamish.

The chef called it starvation food; the Irish used every part of the animal during the famine.

The Irish inspired me to eat more protein at breakfast. So my hat is off to their hearty traditions!

I confess, curiosity got the better of me, and I tried the blood sausage at my first breakfast in Ireland. I didn’t know what it was. It tasted salty, and not my favorite. Like poi in Hawaii, it may be an acquired taste you have to grow up with.

From the menu (see below for the buffet and menu selections), I ordered the mini Irish Breakfast that had one of everything, tea and cranberry juice. From the buffet, I selected fresh fruit salad where I sprinkled on nuts, and granola. The breakfast came with a homemade scone and selection of toast. I loved their homemade brown soda bread.

I’ll post more about the Killiane Castle on my next post.

Here’s what they offered from the buffet:

Buffet Selection

Peruse the buffet table where there is a wide range of fresh and stewed fruit, compotes, cereal and yoghurt on offer. Typically you will find:

Poached Pears with Ginger
Rhubarb & Orange Compote
Stewed Bramley Apples with Cloves
Apricots soaked in Camomile
Stewed Plums with Vanilla & Cinnamon
Earl Grey Poached Prunes
Grapefruit Segments in Sugar Syrup

Fresh Fruit Salad

Kathleen’s Signature Homemade Granola
Muesli
Mixed Nuts & Seeds

Selection of Killowen Yoghurts
Juices: Orange, Cranberry, Ballycross Apple Juice

Hot Breakfast Menu

Porridge Oats with a Dash of Irish Whiskey & Cream
or Bailey’s Irish Cream

Full Irish Breakfast
Bacon, Egg, Sausage, Tomato, Mushrooms,
Black & White Pudding

Mini Irish Breakfast
(as above with one of everything)

Scrambled Egg with Meyler’s Oak Smoked Salmon

Baked Eggs with Wexford Cheddar Cheese,
cream & a choice of Chorizo or Mushrooms

Bacon, Egg, Tomato & Mushroom

Pancakes with Maple Syrup & Bacon
or Lemon & Sugar

Chef’s Omelette
with a choice of Mushrooms, Tomato or Cheese

Farmhouse Boiled Eggs with Soldiers

Patrycja’s Potato Cake
with Poached Egg and a choice of
Bacon & Tomato Relish or
Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese

Homemade Baked Beans on Sourdough Cob Toast

*****

Freshly Brewed Tea or Coffee,
Hot Chocolate & Herbal Teas

Homemade Brown Soda Bread, Scones & Toast