Why can't I get an Irish Onion?

cranks

My first time in F+F. Thought it was best to ask those of you in the know - why can't I get Irish Onions? Seems to be broadly the case, in Dublin at least, that they're mostly dutch. Today, in the supermarket that's different because it's Irish, I had a choice of origin: Holland or UK. I went for the latter and, in fairness to the Brits, they look a damn sight better than the standard dutch muck.

I'm genuinely pleased to pick up an Irish cabbage or carrot; I felt a vague surge of patriotic pride when deliberately choosing Irish apples over Chilean apples (Chilean, for feck sake) during the week; I get notions that Ireland could conquer the world every time I pick up a red pepper that's grown here.

What is the story with all the foreign stuff in our supermarkets?

Do I need to travel to provincial towns to get Irish or do we export it? And, excuse my ignorance but do we have an onion season?

gozunda

cranks wrote: »

My first time in F+F. Thought it was best to ask those of you in the know - why can't I get Irish Onions? Seems to be broadly the case, in Dublin at least, that they're mostly dutch. Today, in the supermarket that's different because it's Irish, I had a choice of origin: Holland or UK. I went for the latter and, in fairness to the Brits, they look a damn sight better than the standard dutch muck.

I'm genuinely pleased to pick up an Irish cabbage or carrot; I felt a vague surge of patriotic pride when deliberately choosing Irish apples over Chilean apples (Chilean, for feck sake) during the week; I get notions that Ireland could conquer the world every time I pick up a red pepper that's grown here.

What is the story with all the foreign stuff in our supermarkets?

Do I need to travel to provincial towns to get Irish or do we export it? And, excuse my ignorance but do we have an onion season?

Onions grew quite well in Ireland this year - cant think why supermarkets arnt stocking Irish onions.

The onion season should be ongoing with many crops already harvested

I suggest grow your own - they are not that hard to grew tbh...

Bizzum

gozunda wrote: »

I suggest grow your own - they are not that hard to grew tbh...

A few onion sets and away with ya. As above, easy to sow and generally easy to save/store.
Childhood memories of the old ladies thights hanging from the rafters in the shed stuffed full of onions:D

Kovu

cranks wrote: »

My first time in F+F. Thought it was best to ask those of you in the know - why can't I get Irish Onions? Seems to be broadly the case, in Dublin at least, that they're mostly dutch. Today, in the supermarket that's different because it's Irish, I had a choice of origin: Holland or UK. I went for the latter and, in fairness to the Brits, they look a damn sight better than the standard dutch muck.

I'm genuinely pleased to pick up an Irish cabbage or carrot; I felt a vague surge of patriotic pride when deliberately choosing Irish apples over Chilean apples (Chilean, for feck sake) during the week; I get notions that Ireland could conquer the world every time I pick up a red pepper that's grown here.

What is the story with all the foreign stuff in our supermarkets?

Do I need to travel to provincial towns to get Irish or do we export it? And, excuse my ignorance but do we have an onion season?

There are loads of farmers markets that can get you fresh irish grown veg!

Tora Bora

Karen112 wrote: »

There are loads of farmers markets that can get you fresh irish grown veg!

:rolleyes: you must be joking. Farmers markets in this republic of ours, are a total joke. Local produce, is probably less than forty percent. Priced are a total rip off. Total rip off. Total.

Kovu

Tora Bora wrote: »

:rolleyes: you must be joking. Farmers markets in this republic of ours, are a total joke. Local produce, is probably less than forty percent. Priced are a total rip off. Total rip off. Total.

Ah, forgot how sarcasm doesn't come across in writing.......:p
Onions are ridiculously easy to grow, if you only have a plant pot, you can grow them yourself. Sad to say, the major reason that they're imported is because they are easier/normally mass produced over there.
Nil a fhios agam cen fath

bob charles

the multinational retailers will supply what the majority of their customers are demanding and that is food as cheap as possible

KatyMac

Bizzum wrote: »

A few onion sets and away with ya. As above, easy to sow and generally easy to save/store.
Childhood memories of the old ladies thights hanging from the rafters in the shed stuffed full of onions:D

Hee hee, I've just finished tying my onions up on blue baler twine. You could hang them round your neck like the French onion sellers in 'Allo, allo'. They are easy to grow, but this year for some reason my ones kept very small

LostCovey

Tora Bora wrote: »

:rolleyes: you must be joking. Farmers markets in this republic of ours, are a total joke. Local produce, is probably less than forty percent. Priced are a total rip off. Total rip off. Total.

The IFA have been very soft on the whole Farmer's Market movement.

They have nothing to do with farmers and should never be allowed to use such a misleading name.

In a lot of cases I don't think any farmer could afford to sell veg through them either with the cost of the pitches.

gozunda

According to the FAO Ireland has an annual production of around 10,000 tons of onions....

Wonder where they all go?

Maybe they emigrate...

oh and the season for Irish onions in ireland is traditionally from September to April....

LINK

This from An Bord Bia

Onions & Other Alliums
Onions, scallions (spring onions) and leeks are the main alliums grown and consumed in Ireland. Each
crop has very specific growing, harvesting and handling requirements. There are several types of onions
grown in Ireland distinguished by their colours, with brown (most popular by far) red and white onions
being most in demand. Only a few areas in Ireland grow onions, namely in counties Cork, Wexford and
Meath. Historically, the Irish onion has been viewed as a ‘lesser class’ onion partly due to outer skin
‘blemishes’ brought on largely due to higher rainfall experienced, especially should the crop be rained
on at harvest time. Although the onion is perfectly fit for human consumption, blemishes on the outer
skin layer would influence perceived quality by consumers (this ‘blemished skin’ is the peeled off outer
layers and is not consumed in any case). However, with recent advances in cultivation, growing
techniques and the curing process, ‘the Irish onion’ is now competing with imported onions and gaining
market share and shelf space. Growers are at present seeking to build the critical mass to develop a
distinct ‘Irish onion’ season with retail multiples.

An "Irish Onion" begora - will it have a bit of the brogue I wonder?

LINK

blue5000

Tora Bora wrote: »

:rolleyes: you must be joking. Farmers markets in this republic of ours, are a total joke. Local produce, is probably less than forty percent. Priced are a total rip off. Total rip off. Total.

+1 tora, I hear some of them veg sellers at the markets buy their stuff in lidl/aldi and 'pretend' its homegrown stuff they're selling.

keep going

Bandon coop grows a heap of onions in west cork ,don,t know where they go

Corsendonk

Seasonal crop OP, they will have been harvested around about now and then cured by blowing hot air through them for about 10 days. The below company supplies them to I think Tesco so you could try contacting them to see when they will be in store.


http://www.countrycrest.ie/onions-2.html

Country Crest is Irelands largest and newest grower and packer of onions, providing all year round supplies of best quality and a wide range of onions including browns, reds and shallots.

Country Crest is working with Irish growers to increase the production of Irish grown onions over the coming years, reviving an industry that was stagnant.

With this in mind, Country Crest have invested approx €4 million in grading, packaging and primary storage and drying facilities over two years. Our new state of the art 3000ton storage and drying facility was completed for the harvesting of the 2007 Irish onion crop.

Country Crest is also an Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA) registered packer of organic onions.

P.S Irish apples are muck compared to Chilean unless they are new season.