Darina Allen is the founder of the Ballymaloe Cookery School in Shanagarry, County Cork, Ireland. She set out to research, record and preserve the history of food in Ireland. She was invited to cook in fireplaces with octogenarian women who remembered what their grandmothers had taught them. The introduction contains an excellent summary of Irish food history prepared by a graduate student (Regina Sexton) that grew up to publish her own book on this topic. Some recipes appear to reach far back in time.

Very disappointed in this book. Really nothing one would cook in USA.. There are lovely pictures of Ieland and writing about the country. ( )