In the past it would also contain a rag, a stick and a pea, whose meaning could vary according to region. It is commonly held that the person who gets the ring is to be married within the year. Most bracks are shop-bought and only contain the ring. The rag condems the person who gets it in their slice to be single forever, the stick means physical violence in a marriage, the bead predicts poverty and the pea wealth. It is a sausage made of pig's blood mixed with oats, salt, onions and spices.
White pudding is a variety made without blood, but using minced liver instead.
The pudding is normally fried and is an essential part of a traditional Irish breakfast. There are vegetarian versions of this, I have seen fried mushrooms and potato cakes being served, plus baked beans. All this is washed down with gallons of tea, though coffee is always available in hotels and Bed and Breakfast establishments. Bear in mind that Irish people don't indulge in this everyday of the week. We do think of our health occasionly, and the traditional Irish breakfast is usually kept for a Sunday as a brunch thing.