Irish Coffee

Irish Coffee… The Rest of the Story

Let's see, Irish whiskey, good strong black coffee, a bit of sugar, then nice thick cream, poured over the back of a spoon, so that it sits on top of the coffee, whiskey, and sugar mixture; what's not to love. When made right with good ingredients Irish Coffee is the perfect restorative. Last summer on my travels in Ireland I came upon the real story of Irish Coffee, in Ballybofey, County Donegal.



There is a common and widely held myth that Irish Coffee, that most wonderful of elixirs, was first created in the bar in Shannon Airport. It is true this luscious, Gaelic concoction, was served there at a very early date. But… it wasn’t the first place to serve this wonderful drink, it actually originated in County Donegal at Jackson’s Hotel, in Ballybofey.

There was a seaman named Joe Jackson, a Derry man, who served in the Merchant Navy during World War II. It was his misfortune to be on a ship that was torpedoed in the north Atlantic. When he was rescued he was suffering from exposure and was revived with a high proof drink made from coffee and rum, which was a Navy practice of the day. The rest of Joe Jackson’s service was in the eastern Mediterranean and there he was exposed to drinks containing cream, sugar, and spirits.

With the war over Joe returned home to Ireland and married a woman in the catering business in Ballybofey. Joe purchased a hotel in Ballybofey and calling upon his experiences during the war, began to experiment with new drinks. One of the specialties of the house was an ‘Irish Coffee’ which was made of strong black coffee, sugar, Irish whiskey, and then a layer of cream on top. This was circa late 1940s.

In the early 1950s a Scottish motoring magazine published an account of Joe Jackson’s Irish Coffee. The drink was replicated, according to lore, on 10 November 1952, in the bar of Shannon airport, but this was several years after Jackson’s Hotel served the drink. Perhaps it was a public relations coup or perhaps Donegal was in those days too distant and away, for whatever reason, the Shannon airport origin for Irish Coffee began to take root.

The real story is Irish Coffee is the creation of Mr Joe Jackson and was first served at Jackson’s Hotel in Ballybofey, County Donegal, where they still serve it today, exactly as it was created by Joe Jackson in the late 1940s.

Barry R McCain

63F Degrees in Oxford & Michael Jackson

I woke this morning to a lovely temperature of 63 degree Fahrenheit and here were are almost to July. The sun pepping through the trees, the birds singing, my two Manx lads even had their front paws tucked under their body in the morning chill. Well, what passes for a chill in Oxford in summer.

I have not been looking at the TV much of late; the irrational hysteria of the Talking Heads over the demise of poor Michael Jackson just too much for this very sane man. King of Pop... I don't think so, poor man became a laughing stock, a joke. All that plastic surgery, bizarre personal habits; he obviously was no where near the 'star' that the media pretends he was. I could not name you a single song, nor an album he did. The whole garish episode painful. Still, one does not speak ill of those who have passed. He seemed a very unhappy, troubled, person.

I suggest prayers for his soul.

29 June 2009, Life In Oxford

Life In Oxford Mississippi

We have had some very hot days in Oxford recently. My home thermometer has been hitting 98 F for the last few days and the weather station at our wee airport very near that. But, late yesterday a front, or what passes for one this time of year, came through. We had a thunderstorm and some rain. This morning I woke to a stunning (this time of year) 64 F at my house. I opened the doors and drank coffee outside with my two Manx cats, Piscín and Pangur.

The air cool, the sunlight filtering through the trees. A slight breeze in the air.

I live only 5 miles from Ole Miss, a little less from The Square, yet woods are all around me. Such is the way of what is still a small Southern town. As I sat outside, drinking coffee, I heard a local rooster and a wild turkey exchange threatening cries to each other.

Quality lads and lassies.

Fille De Houma

Part of the South; sort of, they are actually Belgian... but do Cajun music very well. These boys are seriously good. Enjoy.

Even more of my man, Doug Kershaw...

what can I say, Doug Kershaw; an icon to us here in the Deep South.

Even more.... Doug Kershaw

More Doug Kershaw

Doug Kershaw, I absolutely love him...

Mississippi Summer Heat

Well, I am enduring the heat of a Mississippi summer. Is it summer yet? Yes, I think so, the solstice was yesterday. Heat. It comes to us every summer. My thoughts turn to Ireland as I have sent much time there in the summer. I was there in late June and July of last year. I love the cool, wet, weather of Ireland. It may drive them nuts, but it is healing to me.

Brandenburg Concerto No 2, 3rd movement

Simply perfect.