An American visitor planning a trip to Dublin for St. Patrick’s Festival wondered why Irish restaurants seem to serve smaller 7-ounce steaks compared to the larger cuts common in the US. While it’s true that portions can vary, here’s some insight on steak sizes in Ireland:
Understanding Trimmed Weight
Pre- and Post-Trimming: Butchers often advertise steaks by their untrimmed weight. An 8-ounce (half-pound) steak might weigh closer to 7 ounces after removing excess fat and sinew, making 7 ounces an accurate depiction of the final cooked portion. Reasons for Smaller Steaks in Ireland
Dining Habits: Irish cuisine traditionally favours balanced meals with multiple components, rather than centring on a single, large cut of meat. Quality Emphasis: Irish restaurants often prioritise locally-sourced, premium quality meats. Smaller steaks help maintain this focus while keeping meals affordable. Health Awareness: There’s increasing awareness of portion control and red meat intake. Modest steak sizes align with this trend.
It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All
Variety Exists: While not the absolute standard, 7-ounce steaks can be found, especially in fine dining settings. Steakhouse chains and restaurants catering to American tastes will likely offer those larger “giant” steaks.
I also received the following from a second source:
A 7-ounce steak wouldn’t be considered the standard serving size in Ireland, but it’s also not uncommon. Here’s why:
Portion Sizes Vary: Steak portion sizes in Ireland depend on the type of establishment, the cut of meat, and the overall menu design. Typical Range: You’re more likely to find steaks in the 8-12 ounce range in most restaurants. Smaller Portions Possible: Some fine dining places may offer smaller steaks as part of tasting menus or multi-course dining experiences. 7 ounces could certainly be found in this context. Larger Options, Too: Steakhouses specialising in large cuts of meat will definitely cater to those seeking the ‘giant steak’ experience. Overall: It’s better to think of steak serving sizes in Ireland as existing on a spectrum rather than having a single, rigid standard.
I first photographed this memorial in March 2021 but forgot to publish the resulting images.
In 2021 I used a Sony 7RIV with a Sony PZ 28-135mm Lens and in 2022 I used a Canon 5D MkIII with a Sigma 24-105mm Lens.
Thomas was from Callan in Co Kilkenny, the son of Edward and Hanora Woodgate of Mill Street, and until recently it was assumed that he was 18 when he signed up to the Royal Air Force in late 1918. He died on board RMS Leinster on 10 October 1918, when it was torpedoed by a German submarine close to the Kish Lighthouse while on its way to Holyhead.
Altogether, 501 lives were lost in that incident, which occurred just a month before the end of the war.
In recent years, while research was being carried out into the hundreds of people from the Kilkenny area who died during that war, it was discovered that Thomas was actually 14 when he was killed.
Thomas is buried in Grangegorman military cemetery in Dublin.
The sculpture was created by CDS Architectural Metalwork. Martin Stapleton began his career working with his father Michael in the Farm Building Business. He began his apprenticeship in 1986 and in 1989 he represented Ireland in the World Skill Olympics where he finished 3rd behind China and Korea. After this intensive training, Martin realised that there was a market for quality metalwork in the construction industry which could be manufactured and installed to an extremely high standard, which was not an “off the shelf” product but instead crafted to suit each individual project requirement. This metalwork utilized mildsteel, stainless steel, copper, brass, glass etc and maximised the fabrication techniques and procedures to produce spectacular results.