Coat the meat with flour, salt, and pepper.
Heat the butter or oil in a pan and sear the meat until golden brown.
Place the meat, potatoes, carrots, onion, and garlic in the slow cooker.
Mix the broth, Guinness (if used), tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
Pour this mixture over the meat and vegetables in the slow cooker.
Set the slow cooker to low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
Remove the bay leaves before serving.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with extra salt and pepper.
If you want a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and add it in the last 30 minutes.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with soda bread or mashed potatoes.