Preheat oven to 325°. Grease a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan.

Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and baking soda. Blend egg and buttermilk together, and add all at once to the flour mixture. Mix until moistened. Stir in butter and raisins. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the bread comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Wrap in foil for several hours, or overnight, for best flavor.

Hints & Tips:

1. While baking, if the top is
getting too dark, tent the bread with some aluminum foil.

2. For an non-Irish twist, try
substituting dried cranberries or
currants for the raisins.

3. Omit the fruit for a more
savory bread.