With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, new research from Beko is here to remind us of the things we love most about Irish mammies. Results have revealed Ireland’s favourite mom-made meals, most predicted Mother’s Day gifts, how Irish mams across generations have adapted, and the distinctive traits that make them so special.
The Irish love a hearty home-cooked dinner, so it’s no surprise that 31% of surveyed adults chose a roast dinner as the ultimate dish that reminds them of home. Kerry emerged as the biggest fan, with 50% of respondents selecting it as their top choice. Coming behind, 1 in 5 (20%) selected the Irish stew as their favourite. Meanwhile, 17% of people opted for the wholesome bacon and cabbage, making it the third most nostalgic dish. Shepherd’s pie and summer salad followed, with 10% of respondents selecting each as their top mammy-cooked meal.
When it comes to Mother’s Day gifting options, flowers are the top choice (35%), with 69% of Offaly respondents, 63% of Donegal respondents, and 45% of Galway respondents most likely to surprise their mammy with a bouquet. Restaurant and holiday vouchers came in second (16%), followed by the classic box of chocolates (12%).
Thoughtful gestures don’t have to break the bank - 41% of people plan to spend between €20 to 50 on Mother’s Day gifts, with an average gift spend of €43. Longford is the most generous county, with an average spend of €104 on a Mother’s Day gift. On the other end, Offaly emerges as the most frugal, with an average spend of €23.90.
As times change, so does the role of an Irish mum. Over half of respondents (62%) feel that the modern Irish mammy has it easier than previous generations, with 73% attributing this to advancements in household technology and convenience, 69% claiming greater involvement from fathers & parents, followed by more flexible work options (59%) and better parental leave & child support (58%). On the other hand, however, 38% believe that Irish mothers have it harder than previous generations. 64% expressed this is due to the cost-of-living crisis, while 59% claim that dual-income households and career pressures are making it more difficult. Other reasons listed include children still living at home because they can’t afford to pay rent (45%), technology & screen time (41%) and lack of ‘village’ support (36%).
No matter the generation, however, the traits that make Irish mammies so special continue to withstand the test of time. More than 1 in 3 adults (35%) say their favourite trait about Irish mammies is their fierce protectiveness, while 32% said they admire their nurturing and caring nature. Generosity and hospitality rank highly at 30%, followed closely by their unmatched sense of humour (29%).
Shane Kelly, Sales and Marketing Manager for Beko said: ‘At Beko, we honour mothers, and it is our mission to celebrate and support them. Beko has been a proud sponsor of the annual Woman’s Way and Beko Mum of the Year Awards for a decade now. These awards are a wonderful way to shine a light on the incredible contributions Irish mothers make in so many aspects of everyday life – often going unnoticed.’
*Research conducted by iReach, commissioned by Sweartaker on behalf of Beko between March 5th - 12th 2025. 1,000 adults across Ireland were surveyed.
Slán go fóill.