Erin Gone Gluten-Free!

Have you been gluten-free in Ireland? I haven't—yet. At some point I'd like to pay a visit to the Emerald Isle and get a taste of the gluten-free food there.

Ireland has a reputation for having a high proportion of people with celiac/coeliac disease, but studies seem to suggest an overall rate of 1:120—perhaps slightly higher than average, although some localities might have significantly higher concentrations.

The Coeliac Society of Ireland (CSI) serves gluten-free people from its base in Dublin and its branches throughout the country. It offers lists of accommodating restaurants and lodgings, but so far it does not "vet" those places.

The Balleymaloe Cookery School, located on an organic farm in County Cork (the home of Delicious Foods) offers short healthy gluten-free cooking classes for people with coeliac disease. Owner Darina Allen co-authored the book Healthy Gluten-Free Cooking with Rosemary Kearney.

Getting back to Dublin, I still remember a profile of Roly's Bistro chef Colin O'Daly that appeared in the Fall 2002 issue of Gluten-Free Living, before the magazine went glossy or had a blog—which offers a St. Patrick's Day blog post featuring recipes for Irish Soda Bread and Irish Potato Candy.

Want more recipes? Nancy Lapid offers links to Irish (and Chinese?) dishes here.