FROM 1550 - 1750 > FOOD & COOKING                   1-10 11-20                   General Comment The most commonly eaten foods were oaten and barley bread which was consumed with huge quantities of butter. Animals were killed in the ...     Beverages Wine was in great demand especially among the gentry classes. Most of this was imported from the continent. For the ordinary folk beer, ...     Comments Made about Diet The poorest became increasingly dependent on the potatoes which had been brought to Ireland by seamen such as Sir Walter Raleigh. A ...     Big House The big houses, which were scattered around Ireland, all possessed large estates. This meant that they could be self-sufficient in meat, ...     Famine For ordinary people in Ireland in the 18th century famine was always a possibility. The dependence on the potato made this very likely ...     Primitive Methods In the 16th century cooking methods were still primitive. Pots were almost unknown by many poorer people. As a result, meat was often ...     Silver Cups and Tankards Like the methers which were still in use, the 2 handled cup pictured was used on festive occasions, being passed from guest to guest, ...     Sugar Castors For the more wealthy in society there were many luxury items such as these beautifully crafted sugar castors. These were made by Richard ...     Plantation Pots and Fires By the early 17th century, pots had developed especially for use by the planters. The three leg pot was common and was used over an open ...     Oven As the 17th century progressed cooking methods, especially of the planters, developed. This small oven was built in to the side of the ...     <>                 1-10 11-20