Thanksgiving celebrations – it’s all about food and family!

Before the advent of the industrial era, humans relied on what nature provided and a bountiful harvest meant survival for families. There would have been a lot to be thankful for, knowing that your nearest and dearest would be well fed, especially in the lean winter months.

Nature’s harvest bounty (photo: earlychildhoodireland.ie)

Potatoes, berries, apples & nuts – the sight of nature’s provisions, with all their glorious colours, smells and tastes would have been a time for joy and celebration.

Of course the most well known harvest celebration is Thanksgiving in the US. Dating back to the early 17th century, it was originally only celebrated in New England by the pilgrims as a thanks for their first harvest.

In the mid 19th century, Sarah Josepha Hale wrote to five American presidents over 17 years, to advocate Thanksgiving as a national holiday in the American South. President Lincoln established a national holiday in 1863.

Traditional autumnal vegetables such as butternut squash & pumpkin are served with the main star of the show being the humble turkey.  One of the nicest elements to the tradition of Thanksgiving is that it brings families and friends together.

Celebrating food with Shannon Princess

Harvest festivals each have their own origins and the one thing they have in common is being thankful and commemorating this with a celebration of food.

Here on the Shannon Princess, we like to celebrate the joy of food with our guests, every day of their vacation. Our chef Olivia, brings healthy, organic, home grown produce to life in a multitude of scrumptious dishes from breakfast time right through to dinner. If you would like to know more, visit our menu pages.

For  our full list of excursions see our itinerary or  contact us  for further details. We look forward to welcoming you on board our luxury, boutique barge in 2017.

Happy thanksgiving from all on board the Shannon Princess