Regional Irish Foods - The Waterford Blaa And Where To Find Them (2024)

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The tradition of the Waterford Blaa dates back to the late 17th Century when a group of Huguenots arrived in the city. At that time, Waterford was a powerful trading city for goods like leather, wheat, flour, butter and other agricultural produce from the area.

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A Huguenot bakery producing bread to feed the families and children of the group was set up in Waterford city in 1702. It’s thought the round bread rolls we now know as Blaa were first made from leftover pieces of bread dough which couldn’t be used for making loaves. Modern Waterford bakers now believe the name ‘Blaa’ was corrupted from the Huguenot words ‘Blaad’, an old French word for flour, or ‘Blanc’, French for white, which referred to the white appearance of these rolls which are dusted with flour.

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Brother Ignatius Rice established a bakery in the Mount Sion area of Waterford City in 1802. He continued the tradition of making ‘Blaa’, which became a popular staple with the poor. Production rose to around 18,000 blaas made every day in the city.

Today, the Blaa is very much a part of Waterford’s heritage still enjoyed in modern times. Almost twelve thousand of these white rolls are eaten daily in the city. Legend has it that there isn’t a blaa left to be seen in Waterford after 11 am, so popular is the roll for breakfast. Hot freshly cooked bacon is one of the most popular fillings!

PGI STATUS

In 2013, the Waterford Blaa Bakers Association succeeded in getting PGI designation for the Waterford Blaa. PGI stands for Protected Geographical Indication, a European designation for regional foods and ingredients, which essentially means that only Blaas made by specialist bakers in Waterford city and county can be called Blaas. This guarantees an authentic heritage product, based on the traditional methods and the unique skills of the bakers.

Good Food Ireland ® Blaa Makers

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Walsh’s Bakehousein Waterford City is owned and run by brothers Michael and Dermot Walsh, the third generation of their family to become bakers. A bakery business was first founded in Waterford by Michael and Dermot’s grandfather Patrick Walsh. Patrick was a Master Baker and originally a native of Kilkenny. He fought with the Northumberland Fusiliers in WW1 and survived being a prisoner of war in Germany. After the war, he founded the Waterford bakery before eventually returning to his home village of Kilmacow after his marriage, where he established a grain mill for flour and oatmeal.

Dermot and Michael carry on their grandfather’s baking skills and traditions at Walsh’s Bakehouse in Waterford City. The brothers were instrumental in achieving PGI status for the Waterford Blaa. The brothers supply freshly baked Blaas daily to shops and businesses in Waterford, while also supplying to a number of establishments across the country.

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Esther Barron ofBarron’s Bakeryin Cappoquin Co. Waterford is another member of the Waterford Blaa Bakers Association. Esther is continuing the business her grandfather John Barron began in 1887. Her father Joe took over the business after the death of John, then Esther and her husband, also called Joe, continued the tradition from 1993. The bakers at Barron’s still use the original Scotch Brick ovens her father installed to make a range of bread and Waterford Blaas.

Blaas are extremely popular with locals and visitors, who like the sense of heritage that comes with the history of this bread roll. In the Coffee Shop and Café at Barron’s Bakery, Blaas are filled with local ingredients for a hearty lunch snack.

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Regional Irish Foods - The Waterford Blaa And Where To Find Them (2024)

FAQs

Where to get a bla in Waterford? ›

Hickey's Bakery has been making traditional hand crafted bread and blaa's on their premises in Barrack Street Waterford since 1958 using traditional methods handed down from generations.

How do you eat Waterford Blaa? ›

Eaten mainly at breakfast with butter, they are also eaten at other times of the day with a wide variety of fillings (including a type of luncheon meat often referred to as "red lead").

What is a Blaa in Ireland? ›

The blaa is a soft, white, floury bread roll, similar to a Bap or Hamburger Bun. It is popular here in Ireland, especially in Waterford City and County. They are also made in Kilkenny and Clonmel, both originally Norman walled towns.

Where did the Waterford Blaa come from? ›

The tradition of the Waterford Blaa dates back to the late 17th Century when a group of Huguenots arrived in the city. At that time, Waterford was a powerful trading city for goods like leather, wheat, flour, butter and other agricultural produce from the area.

What is the difference between bap and blaa? ›

Whatever you do, though, just don't make the mistake of calling a blaa a bap, the word used across the British Isles for a similarly shaped bread roll. For one, a blaa is doughier and softer than its better-known counterpart.

What do they call a bread roll in Ireland? ›

“They actually ask for a bap but it depends—we have a soft bap or scotch rolls, crusty rolls are known as Belfast baps, crusty like a tiger loaf.” “To me, bread rolls are a bap.” In Ireland a roll or a bap is commonplace.

What is bread soaked in milk called in Ireland? ›

Goody or goodie is an Irish dessert-like dish made by boiling bread in milk with sugar and spices. It is often given to children or older adults. This dish is eaten on St. John's Eve where it would be prepared near the bonfires lit to celebrate.

What is the name of the famous Waterford bread roll? ›

Waterford is famous for it's Blaa, a soft white bread roll, that has a long connection to the city and county. It's said by the locals that there isn't a Blaa to be found in Waterford after midday.

How do you eat Irish bread? ›

How to Eat Irish Soda Bread. This versatile bread works for any meal, but Irish soda bread is a natural for breakfast, whether simply spread with (Irish) butter and jam or alongside that hearty fry-up known as a full Irish breakfast. It's also wonderful with a cup of tea in the afternoon or as a late-night snack.

What do Irish call breakfast? ›

(In Ulster in Northern Ireland the breakfast is also known as an "Ulster fry.") All full Irish breakfasts include some or all of the following: Bacon, sausages, baked beans, eggs, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, and perhaps some cooked leftover potatoes made into a hash or a bubble and squeak.

What is a breakfast roll in Ireland? ›

While there are countless variations on the theme, the basic breakfast roll consists of: two sausages, two rashers, one slice each of black and white pudding, and a runny fried egg (or two) all placed inside a crusty white french baguette that has, of course, been liberally and gloriously buttered.

How many calories are in a Waterford Blaa? ›

Energy: 152 calories
Protein6g
Carbs32g
Fat0.5g

Is Waterford Irish or Scottish? ›

Waterford is the main city of Ireland's South-East Region. Historically Waterford was an important trading port which brought much prosperity to the city throughout the city's eventful history.

Is Waterford still made in Ireland? ›

Most Waterford crystal is now produced outside Ireland in countries such as Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Germany. Waterford produces many patterns of lead crystal stemware, including lines such as Adare, Alana, Colleen, Kincora, Lismore, Maeve, Tramore, and many others.

What is Waterford called in Irish? ›

As a bi-lingual island, the Irish name used for Waterford is Port Láirge which translates in English as 'Port of a Thigh' with one origin story attributing the name to the tragic fate of a young prince named Rot.

What is the famous Waterford bread roll? ›

Waterford is famous for it's Blaa, a soft white bread roll, that has a long connection to the city and county. It's said by the locals that there isn't a Blaa to be found in Waterford after midday.

Is Waterford good for stags? ›

Prepare for an unforgettable Waterford stag do, where the blend of coast and city excitement creates an extraordinary atmosphere! Waterford's vibrant stag party scene revolves around a great nightlife and medieval vibes.

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