Growing up in Ireland was an experience, and we wouldn’t have it any other way, so let’s see how many of these things you can relate to.
Many things made growing up in Ireland pretty unique. Some things we loved, and some scared the bejaysus out of us. However, it’s safe to say that many of us would classify an Irish childhood as one of the best out there despite the hardships.
So, with that in mind, let us share some of our stand-out memories with the ten things you’ll relate to if you grew up in Ireland.
10. The wooden spoon – our arch enemy
Okay, this might not be our ‘fondest’ memory, but it’s certainly one that you’ll relate to if you grew up in Ireland.
Being threatened by the wooden spoon always meant we were on our best behaviour whenever it was in sight – even if it was never actually used, it was the scare factor that got us.
9. You wore a black bag for Halloween – so individual
These days kids have their choice of the best Halloween costumes, but if you grew up in Ireland, chances are you wore a black bag with a mask or a witch’s hat at once or another. This was the traditional easy-to-make Halloween costume for many, which was right on budget.
8. The Immersion – the biggest crime
The word that sends shivers down your spine. Laving the immersion in Ireland was a guaranteed way to get you in serious trouble. You could say it was even considered one of the greatest crimes you could ever commit – or at least it felt like it.
7. You said prayers at school – our daily mantras
One of the main things you’ll relate to if you grew up in Ireland is saying prayers in school – in both English and Irish.
Whether we like to admit it or not, many of us can still recite the Hail Mary or Our Father prayers, which we were routined at repeating daily when we went to school.
6. Your books were covered in brown paper – such an Irish thing
This was always a thing in Ireland, and there was always that one evening when you sat around with the scissors, brown paper and sellotape preparing your second-hand books for the new school year.
It didn’t last long, however. Most of the time, it would end up scrunched at the bottom of our school bags.
5. Staying up to watch the Late Late Toy Show – our favourite evening
Yes, this was an evening we all looked forward to and was one of the main things you’ll relate to if you grew up in Ireland.
We loved getting into our pj’s, cosying up by the fire and making a mental list of all the toys we would ask Santa for. Ah, the good old days!
4. The Den – our beloved TV show
Everyone who was anyone watched the popular tv show called The Den, which is a typical Irish show we all loved.
This was almost considered a rite of passage for all Irish kids, and we loved watching Socky, Dustin, Zig and Zag, Ray D’Arcy and the whole cast on our telly each day.
3. Irish dancing at school – not our favourite hobby
Whether you enjoyed it or not, Irish dancing or Ceili dancing were activities young Irish girls were encouraged to do at school.
If you had two feet, you were taking part; even if you hated the jigs you had to learn. Then, when the day came that it all ended, we couldn’t have been happier.
2. 7up and dry toast – the miracle workers
Along with Lemsip and Calpol, you were given flat 7up and dry toast whenever you felt under the weather, which was a surefire way to clear up any illnesses.
To any Irish parents or grandparents, these items were miracle workers, and there was no need for a doctor with these ingredients in the press. Indeed, we love 7up so much that it made it high on the list of the best soft drinks that Irish people love.
1. Pub snacks – to keep us quiet
Life could have been boring sitting in a pub while your parents chatted to their friends, but thankfully we had the best pub snacks to nibble on, making us secretly love our pub adventures. Think Tayto crisps, bacon fries, and coke in a glass bottle!
So, there it is – our list of the ten things you’ll relate to if you grew up in Ireland. Some of which you may look back with fond memories of and others which you shiver at the thought of.
Either way, it made growing up in Ireland different from anywhere else. How many of these can you relate to?
