If you are fortunate enough to have leftover corned beef from St. Patrick's Day dinner, and you do not want to take the time to make Reubens, this is the recipe for you. On a day trip to County Clare to see the Cliffs of Moher, we stopped for lunch at a really out-of-the-way pub outside of Ennis. And what a delightful meal we had. The corned beef was rich in flavor, the cheese melted perfectly, and the sauerkraut was especially tangy. The rye crackers and Irish butter made the dish perfect.

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The only way to make great corned beef and cabbage is with a slow cooker. Forget the stove top. The first time I had it made this way was in a friend's home in Trim, County Meath. I thought I'd died and gone to Irish heaven. I remember the laughter and Irish wit, the aromas, the political arguing, the drinking, the peat fire aglow in the fireplace. So every St. Patrick's Day since I have made it this way and raise a glass of Guinness to my dear Irish friends. Beannacht Lá Fhéile Pádraig!

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I said I would not include beef recipes on this Irish cooking blog since Irish beef was so tasteless yet looked so wonderful sitting in the butchers' cases. But I cannot ignore Beef Wellington since the Duke of Wellington plays such an important role in the town of Trim where he spent his youth. Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, 1769 to 1852, was an Anglo-Irish soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century. Wellies are named for him.

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Slane Castle is located on the River Boyne in County Meath. It's part of a 1500-acre estate, the residence of the heir to the title Marquess of Conyngham, Henry Mountcharles. In August of most years since 1981 the grounds of Slane Castle are used to host a rock concert. The natural amphitheatre has a 100,000-person capacity hosting concerts by Queen, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Guns N' Roses, Neil Young, R.E.M., Bryan Adams, U2, Iggy Pop, Madonna, and Oasis.

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