The Boxty Paradox
Everything, Everywhere, All At Once
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1558/ppc.27699Keywords:
Irish cookery, Boxty, potatoes, social history, cultural identity, food revivals, research methods, terminology, Irish National Folklore Collection, culinary practices, preparations & techniques, iconic dishes, gadgets and utensilsAbstract
This paper takes as its subject the Irish potato dish of Boxty and draws upon the thousands of transcripts available in the Irish National Folklore Collection (Schools) as its primary sources. Investigations reveal that, far from being a simple dish, the transcripts unveil dozens of different types of Boxty from all over the country, as well as the geographic spread of the many names by which a single style of Boxty is known. In addition, this unique collection of personal testimonies reveals just how inextricably intertwined Boxty is with the history, life, culture and traditions of the people of Ireland. From music and poetry, to food preparation and cooking utensils, the privations of The Famine, high days and holidays, the turning of the seasons, celebrations and social events. This paper demonstrates the impossibility of studying Boxty in isolation, and that in fact, the dish of Boxty is symbolic of both Ireland's history and of the Irish people themselves. Richly illustrated with quotations from the transcripts, this paper is also supported by further extracts in the Appendices which, due to their length, are available at <https://dejafood.uk/books/>.
References
Carleton, William, 1829 ‘Sketches of the Irish Peasantry. No I. The Station’, in The Christian Examiner & Church of Ireland Magazine, 1829, pp. 45-60.
Carleton, William, 1841, ‘The Irish Midwife. Part III – Dandy Keho’s Christening’, in The Irish Penny Journal, Volume 1, Number 40, pp. 313-316.
Carleton, William, 1845, Tales and Sketches, Illustrating the Character, Usages, Traditions, Sports and Pastimes of the Irish Peasantry, Dublin: James Duffy, 1845.
Drummuly Boxty, About Us page: <http://www.drummully.com/about.html> Accessed 13/01/2022
Irish Folklore Commission (1937). ‘Irish Folklore and Tradition’, Dublin: the Department of Education.
National Folklore Collection Schools’ Manuscripts
:329 Informant: John Coyne (63). Collector: James Coyne. School: Cloigeann, Cleggan, Co. Galway, Teacher: Seán Ó Fathaigh.
:0142 Informant: Laurence Conwey (58), Killeenadeema, Co. Galway. Collector: unknown. School: Baile Locha Riabhach (Clochar), Loughrea, Co. Galway. Teacher: An tSr. M. Proinnsias
:071 Informant: Séan Ó Máille, (75), Burren, Co. Mayo. Collector: P. Ó Máille. School: Eaglais, Burren, Co. Mayo. Teacher: S. Ó Mongaigh
:666 Informant: Michael Costello, (circa 65), Esker South, Co. Mayo. Collector: Nanette Waldron, Ballindine, Co. Mayo. School: Baile an Daingin, Ballindine, Co. Mayo. Teacher: Máire de Staic
:577 Informant: Labhrás Ó Ciaragáin, Srah, Co. Mayo. Collector: Brighid Ní Mhuilligh, Srah, Co. Mayo. School: An tSraith, Srah, Co. Mayo. Teacher: Seán Ó Catháin
:113 Informant: unknown. Collector: P. Mac Giolla Choinnigh. School: Drumloughan (Dromlachan), Sunnagh More, Co. Leitrim, Teacher: Peadar Mac Giolla Choinnigh
:087 Informant: unknown. Collector: unknown. School: Druim Bréan Lios, Drumbreanlis, Co. Leitrim. Teacher: Eibhlín Nic Ghuidhir
:242 Informant: unknown. Collector: unknown. School: Achadh an Easa, Aghavas, Co. Leitrim. Teacher: Laoise, Bean Uí Chuag
:045a Informant: Mrs Mary O’ Dowd (58), Druminuff, Co. Leitrim. Collector: unknown. School: Carraig Áluinn, Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim. Teacher: Pádhraic Mag Uidhir
:125 Informant: Dominick Morrisroe (40), Curraghsallagh, Co. Roscommon. Collector: Winnie Carney, Curraghsallagh, Co. Roscommon. School: Currach Saileach, Curraghsallagh, Co. Roscommon. Teacher: Séamus Mag Fhloinn
:132 Informant: unknown. Collector: unknown. School: Baile ‘n tSléibhe (B.),Cornalee, Co. Roscommon. Teacher: Máirtín Mac Conchradha
:486 Informant: Mr J. Roycroft, Ballydehob, Co. Cork. Collector: Billy Roycroft, Ballydehob, Co. Cork. School: Béal Átha an Dá Chab, Ballydehob, Co. Cork. Teacher: J.W. Pollard
:339 Informant: John O’ Connell (80), Knockyhena, Co. Cork. Collector: Seán F. Cróinín. School: Cnoc na Groighe (B.), Ráth Mhór, Knocknagree, Co. Cork. Teacher: Diarmuid Ó Muimhneacháin
:549 Informant: Mrs Mary Cronin, Banteer, Co. Cork. Collector: John Barry, Banteer, Co. Cork. School: Bán-Tír (B.), Banteer, Co. Cork. Teacher: Seán Ó Síothcháin.
:257 Informant: Mrs C. Relihan (55), Coolkeragh, Co. Kerry. Collector: James Relihan, Coolkeragh, Co. Kerry. School: An Chúil Árd, Coolard, Co. Kerry. Teacher: Seán Ó Duilleáin
:197 Informant: Mr Joseph O Neill, Ballinvosherig, Tralee, Co. Kerry. Collector: Kathleen E. O Neill. Cill Dubh School, Kilduff, Co. Kerry. Teacher: Emily Williams.
:343 Informant: unknown. Collector: unknown, Tír-Dhá-Ghlas School, Terryglass, Co. Tipperary, Teacher: Seán Ó Gliasáin
:050 Informant: Mrs Kennedy, (60), Knockanacartan, Co. Tipperary. Collector: Margaret Starr, Lisquillibeen, Co. Tipperary. Collector: Rita Morrissey, Prospect West, Co. Tipperary. Cill an Daingin School, Nenagh, Killadangan, Co. Tipperary. Teacher: Pádraig Ó hOgáin
:292 Informant: Tom Ryan, Garracummer, Co. Tipperary. Collector: Cáit Ní Riain, Moanvaun, Co. Tipperary. Cluain Mhurchais School, Hollyford, Co. Tipperary, Teacher: Liam Ó Donnchadha
:091 Informant: unknown. Collector: unknown. School: Baile Nua, Gabhal tSulchóide, Newtown, Co. Tipperary. Teacher: Donnchadh Mac Thomáis
:028 Informant: Mrs Delaney, Mountshannon, Co. Clare. Collector: Billy Delaney, Mountshannon, Co. Clare. Inishcaltra School, Cappaduff, Co. Clare, Teacher: Énrí Ó Loingsigh
:371 Informant: unknown. Collector: Mary Collins. School: Moyaugher, Moyagher, Co. Meath. Teacher: Máire, Bean Uí Choileáin
:388 Informant: Mrs Kane (circa 48), Wardstown, Co. Meath. Collector: Mary Kane School: Rathcarran Rathcarran, Co. Meath. Teacher: Caitlín Ní Chonnachtáin
:512 Informant: unknown, Collector: Mamie McGrane, Milltown, Co. Meath, Kilskeer School, Kilskeer, Co. Meath, Teacher: Máire, Bean Uí Fhithcheallaigh
:0329 Informant: Mr P. Gallagher, Lisclogher Great, Co. Westmeath. Collector: Máire E. Ní Loinsigh Lisclogher Great, Co. Westmeath. School: Cloran, Cloran and Corcullentry, Co. Westmeath. Teacher: Síle Flynn
:296 Informant: Bernadette Lynch, Lisclogher Great, Co. Westmeath. School: Killough, Killulagh, Co. Westmeath. Teacher: Mary Lynch
:495 Informant: unknown. Collector: May Shaw, Wardenstown, Co. Westmeath. School: Rathwire (C.), Rathwire, Co. Westmeath. Teacher: Mrs. Caffrey.
:173 Informant: unknown. Collector: unknown School: Rathowen (B), Rathowen, Co. Westmeath Teacher: T. Mc Garry
:165 Informant: Mrs Hussey(67), Kilcommock Glebe, Co. Longford. Collector: Mary Jane McGuire. School: Colehill (C.), Mullingar, Colehill, Co. Longford. Teacher: Kathleen Morris.
:533 Informant: Mrs Lovell, Ballymahon, Co. Longford. Collector: Dorothy Lovell Ballymahon, Co. Longford, Clochar na Trócaire, Baile Mathúna, Ballymahon, Co. Longford 1938. Teacher: Sr. M. Clement
:026 Informant: Katie Burbage, (50), Greagh, Co. Longford. Collector: Anna Lacy, Drumlish, Co. Longford. School: Drumlish (C.), Drumlish, Co. Longford. Teacher: Brigid Lacy
:32 Informant: unknown. Collector: Richard Forrestal, Convent View, Co. Offaly. School: Tullamore (St. Brigid’s), Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Teacher: P. Sheehy
:429 Informant: unknown Collector: unknown. School: Bloomhill, Cloncraff or Bloomhill, Co. Offaly. Teacher: C. Nic Annraoi
:121 Informant: Mrs Fitzpatrick (76), Moneycleare, Co. Laois. Collector: Maggie Fitzpatrick, Moneycleare, Co. Laois. School: Ballinakill (C.), Ballinakill, Co. Laois. Teacher: Eilís Ní Cheirín .
:280 Informant: Patrick Conlan, Glasna, Co. Laois, Collector: John Rowan, Glasna, Co. Laois, Wolfhill School, Wolfhill, Co. Laois, Teacher: P. Ó Dubhlainn
:274 Informant: unknown. Collector: May Bass, Ballingarry Lower, Co. Wexford. School: Hollyfort. Hollyfort, Co. Wexford, Teacher: Mabel Vaughan
:090 Informant: Mrs Cullen (80), Killegney, Co. Wexford. Collector: John Cullen, Killegney, Co. Wexford. School: Donard, Donard, Co. Wexford. Teacher: Bríghid, Bean Mic Cártaigh
:144 Informant: Alice Finegan, (85), Monalia, Co. Monaghan, Collector: unknown, School: Lisdoonan, Co. Monaghan, Teacher: S. Mac an Éanaigh
:179 Informant: unknown. Collector: unknown. School: Cor na Péiste Cornapaste, Co. Monaghan, Teacher: M. Ní Théinfhir
:127 Informant: unknown. Collector: unknown. School: Alt an Chuilinn, Altachullion, Co. Cavan. Teacher: Brigid Martin
:481 Informant: Frank Mc Enroe(84), Drumbrawn, Co. Cavan. Collector: Susan Mc Elroe, Drumbrawn, Co. Cavan. School: Keeny, Keeny, Co. Cavan. Teacher: E. Ó Cléirigh
:195 Informant: unknown Collector: unknown. School: Farnham, Farnham, Co. Cavan, Teacher: F. Magahy
:160 Informant: unknown. Collector: May Mc Clelland, Kiffagh, Co. Cavan. School: Kiffa, Kiffagh, Co. Cavan. Teacher: Helen Dinneen
:036-7 Informant: Mr Philip Lynch (80), Rockfield, Co. Cavan. Informant: Mr John Mc Cabe (86), Latnadronagh, Co. Cavan. Collector: Shaun Briody, Rockfield, Co. Cavan. School: Aghakee, Aghakee, Co. Cavan. Teacher: Mrs Mc Govern.
Talk: Boxty, Wikipedia <https://en.wikipedia.org/Talk:Boxty> Accessed: 12/01/2022.
The Boxty House <https://www.boxtyhouse.ie/> Accessed: 13/01/2022.
