Baking soda is used as the rising agent, instead of yeast, in an Irish Soda Bread. That’s why the bread doesn’t need to be left long for it to rise and can be baked quicked. Which means you can eat quicker. The other ingredients are flour, salt and buttermilk.
The traditional Irish Soda Bread is also made with soft wheat flour making it lower in gluten. Making that another reason for the bread to be popular. What with gluten diets becoming the cornerstone of hipster societies these days.
Usually eaten with an Irish stew or anything with cabbage and potatoes.