This is from my friend, Paige and is her grandmother's, Bridget Murray (née McHale) from Ballycastle, Mayo, Ireland, recipe.
4 cups flour
1 cup sugar
4 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon of salt
1 stick of butter (melted)
2 cups raisins
1 egg slightly beaten
1 ½ cups buttermilk
1/3 teaspoon baking soda
Preheat oven to 375° F
In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, pour in melted butter, stir in raisins.
In a small bowl mix eggs, buttermilk, baking soda.
Pour into the large bowl and mix well.
Shape dough into a ball and place on a buttered baking sheet. Flatten the ball into 2 - 8” - 9” loaves.
Cut a cross on top and brush with melted butter.
Bake in preheated oven at 375° F for 50 minutes - 1 hour or until golden brown