Irish Quotes and Creamy Fudge: Feed Your Irish Spirit

What better time for witty Irish quotes and creamy fudge than on St. Patrick’s Day. In honor of my part-Irish roots (one-quarter Irish on my dad’s side through my great-grandmother, Bridget Mannix, from County Cork or Limerick), I’ve collected some of my favorite Irish quotes, along with a recipe for dark chocolate Irish cream fudge (yum!). In true Irish tradition may the celebrating continue throughout the month of March!    

Witty Irish Quotes

• Never iron a four-leaf clover, you may be pressing your luck.
• Time is a great storyteller.
• A friend's eye is a good mirror.
• Don't give cherries to pigs or advice to fools.
• Put silk on a goat and it's still a goat.
• A loud voice can make even the truth sound foolish.
• A watched kettle never boils.
• Never ask a fox to watch the hens.
• Patience cures many an old complaint.
• Never speak to the feet while the head is alive.
• The older the fiddle, the sweeter the tune.
• Trouble hates nothing as much as a smile.
• An old broom knows the dirty corners best.
• One eye in the corner is sharper than two about the house.
• Be kind to those you meet as you rise, you may pass them again as you fall.
• As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong way.
• May you live to be a hundred years, with one extra year to repent.
• May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.
• May the sun shine bright on your windowpane, and may a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
• May your pockets be heavy, your heart be light, and may good luck pursue you morning and night.

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Dark Chocolate Irish Cream Fudge

Dark Chocolate Fudge made with Baileys® Irish Cream liqueur. Easy and delicious.
(For a non-alcoholic version, replace the cream liqueur with 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract.)

• 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
• 4 cups dark chocolate chips
• Pinch of sea salt
• Optional: 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans
• 1/3 cup Baileys Irish Cream*
  *Baileys Irish Cream is an Irish whiskey and cream-based liqueur that comes in flavors such as Carmel Crème, Coffee and Mint, so you can create delicious fudge in different flavors.

Directions:

1. Line a baking pan with foil, extending foil over the edges of the pan. (8-or 9-inch pan works well)
2. Put chocolate chips, salt and sweetened condensed milk in a heavy saucepan and cook over low heat until the chocolate chips are completely melted.
3. Remove from heat. Stir in Baileys and nuts, if adding nuts.
4. Spread evenly into the foil-lined pan.
5. Chill in the fridge for 2 hours or until firm. Cut into squares. Makes about 2 pounds of fudge.

Microwave Method:

1. Put chocolate chips, salt and sweetened condensed milk into a quart glass bowl or measuring cup.
2. Microwave on High for 3 minutes or until chocolate chips are melted, stirring after 1 ½ minutes.
3. Remove from the microwave and stir in the remaining ingredients. Proceed as above.

Enjoy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!