The potato, introduced in Ireland in the second half of the 16th century, is the main ingredient of the most representative Irish dishes including colcannon, boxty and champ (a sort of colcannon made by combining mashed potatoes and chopped spring onions instead of kale ).

The most important varieties of potatoes grown in Ireland are:

• Rooster

• Kerr's Pink

Other varieties are:

• British Queen

• Record

• Maris Piper

• Golden Wonder

• Home Guard

• Cara

Did you know?
The Humble potato, brought to Ireland in the sixteenth century, was the perfect food for the poor Irish family. It could grow in poor soil, planted in small pieces of land it could provide food for a family.
In the winter of 1740 the Famine swept across Europe but in Ireland it struck harder because the great frost destroyed most of the potato crop, the only source of food for the population at that time.

Potatoes Recipes

Boxty

Colcannon