Midday dinner is off the table as we now eat in the evenings

THE ‘plain people of Ireland’ no longer eat their dinner in the middle of the day, as Jackie Healy-Rae once famously put it.

Modern families living in urban and rural areas now eat their dinner between 6pm and 7pm, a survey has revealed.

Research carried out by supermarket chain Tesco reveals the habits and rituals of Irish families across the nation.

Half of Irish families have a set seat at the table, rising to 60% in Connacht and Ulster.

The urban/rural mealtime divide seems to be fading, as well with the majority of families, across the country, choosing to eat dinner between 6pm and 7pm.

At 38% of tables across the country the household chef is the last to take their seat and 33% of families have a rule to put away mobile phones during mealtimes.

Eating with your mouth open or loud chewing is by far the most annoying dining habit, according to 41% of the nation.

The research identified four distinct culinary tastes/types, showing that Irish people have become more adventurous when it comes to cooking as 44% of people described themselves as ‘The Culinary Adventurer’, experimenting with recipes from around the world.

The next most popular type was said to be ‘The Meat & Two Veg’, with 35% of people claiming they have simple tastes and opt for more traditional recipes, while 13% described themselves as ‘The Picky Eater’.

Just 8% said that they were ‘The Wellbeing Warrior’ – the type who opted for a much more holistic approach to their meals.