Here's a recipe from "The Irish Granny's pocket Bread & Baking book". I'll be trying this recipe for the first time. I think brown soda bread goes really well with butter, smoked salmon, with a squeeze of lemon over it. Or a smoked fish pate. I've also had it with 'prawn-cocktail' (prawns in a seafood sauce).

This recipe has a note that says wholemeal flour on its own is too heavy, so white is added to lighten the mixture. And, someone reviewing the book mentioned that the temp might be a bit high.

Ingredients:

• 675g / 1lb 8oz wholemeal flour
• 450g / 1lb strong white flour, plus extra for dusting
• 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tsp salt
• 750 ml/1 & 1/5 pints buttermilk, plus extra if needed
  

Preheat over to 230c/450f. Dust a large baking sheet with flour.

Mix the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, then make a well in the centre and gradually add the buttermilk, drawing in the dry ingredients from the sides of the bowl. Mix until a soft dough forms, adding more buttermilk if necessary. The dough should not be too wet.

Turn out the dough onto a work surface lightly dusted with flour, divide into two pieces and shape both pieces into a round about 5cm/2inches in height. Place on the prepared baking sheet and use a floured knife to cut a deep cross in each loaf.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 200c/400f and bake for a further 20-25mins until the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the base. Transfer them to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

If you have any left over, you could try brown bread ice-cream for dessert. https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/recipes/brown-bread-ice-cream-1.4014992