Yes, they’re small. They’d be wrapped in paper usually to prevent them sticking to the cake. Usually you’d put in a coin, a ring, and a stick, but there are variations. I recall hearing that having non-food items inside food puts them on the FDA banned list (along with kinder eggs).
The cake is called Báirín Breac, or barmbrack, or just brack. It’s a lot like a cinnamon raisin loaf.
Yes we used to bob for apples and do the apple on a string thing. Can’t say that I’ve ever thrown cabbages at anyone.
