in part a how does the word festive in paragraph 1 affect the meaning of the paragraph

This is the only evidence of the word "festive" I find in the text.

The room in which the boys were fed, was a large stone hall, with a copper at one end: out of which the master, dressed in an apron for the purpose, and assisted by one or two women, ladled the gruel at mealtimes. Of this festive composition each boy had one porringer, and no more—except on occasions of great public rejoicing, when he had two ounces and a quarter of bread besides.

In this context, the work festive would be meant in a sarcastic way..... it is an example of irony.

How does the word festive in paragraph 1 affect the meaning of the paragraph