Today is National Fish and Chip day here in Ireland but what exactly does the day represent – apart from half price fish and chips?
So what’s this National Fish and Chip Day all about?
Well National Fish and Chip Day was set up by the Irish Traditional Italian Chippers Association (ITICA) to remind the Irish people of a dish they love so much, fish and chips. ITICA was created to promote and build on the traditional values of the Irish Italian chipper community, and seeing as they’re a grand bunch of lads they just thought they’d say thanks by giving us half price fish and chips once a year.
It’s not very Irish is it, this National Fish and Chip Day?
Well, no. But fish and chips have a long Irish heritage dating back to the 1880s. Back then, a young lad by the name of Giuseppe Cervi landed in Cobh, Co. Cork bound for America. However, luckily for the Irish people, Giuseppe missed the boat to the US and decided to take his fish business to Dublin. Molly Malone finally had some stiff competition.
At the time Giuseppe was apparently selling fish and roasted chestnuts, but legend has it he mistakenly cooked a potato instead of a chestnut one day and the rest is now delicious history.
So that’s when chippers took off in Ireland, around the 1880s?
Well no, they didn’t take off (or take-away) overnight. It wasn’t until after World War II when Italian fish and chip shops became the norm on Irish main streets. A recent ITICA survey revealed that 92pc of people who were asked said they are planning on visiting their local ITICA chipper today, so we can only assume there’s an ITICA chipper near you.
So it’s just about half price fish and chips then. Marketing stunt?
Well there’s more to it than just half price fish and chips. ITICA members nationwide will support the Funky Feet campaign today in aid of Cappagh Hospital Trust. Chippers are encouraging customers to ‘chip in’ (sorry) and buy funky coloured laces to help raise funds for the hospital. The multi-coloured laces cost €2 a pair. So to answer your question, it’s more than a marketing ploy. They were also giving away tickets to the Irish matches for the Euros, but the closing date for entries has already come and gone.
Excellent, so I can get half price fish and chips in any chipper?
No. Like we said, National Fish and Chip Day was set up by the Irish Traditional Italian Chippers Association (ITICA), so make sure to look for their logo in your local chipper. There are over 200 ITICA members so it shouldn’t be hard finding one.
Now, all that’s left to do is head over to JOE’s Facebook page and tell us where the best chipper in the country is. We’re a tad peckish and it’s getting close to dinnertime, so help us out.
