10 games we all used to play in Irish primary schools

For most Irish people, the educational system in the country served them extremely well. One of the main ingredients that contributed to an enjoyable school experience was the shenanigans us little terrors would get up to.

While we all had our naughty moments and needed to let off some steam at times, games were a popular activity enjoyed throughout Irish primary schools. Depending on the generation, some classic playground games are steeped in history and still live on today.

Despite being older and using modern-day gaming options, such as the Irish Luck casino game on a smartphone device or a virtual reality release like Zenith on a highly sophisticated PlayStation 5 console machine, many of the playground games Irish people grew up with are still being enjoyed at break times in primary schools up and down the country today.

While the rules might vary and technology has hindered the progression of some classic games, many favourites have managed to survive in the modern world. Let’s take a look at ten of them below.

10. Conkers – a classic childhood game

Selecting the ideal conker is a skill in itself, but launching it in the best way possible in order to cause maximum damage to your opponent’s conker is even trickier. Many knuckles have been battered and bruised because of this particular game, although it’s worth the pain.

9. Piggy in the middle – simple but fun

You only needed three players and a ball for this classic. Whether you’re throwing or kicking the ball, the piggy in the middle stands between the other players as they attempt to intercept and catch it. Simple but fun, wasn’t it?

8. Kiss chase – a game that didn’t prepare us for dating later in life

While this particular option most definitely didn’t prepare us for dating in later life, a game of kiss chase is probably still prominent in playgrounds around the world today.

A game that led us to believe that kissing the opposite sex was purely a game of speed and determination; it probably wasn’t as healthy as we might’ve thought at the time.

7. Football – always played in school

Not strictly limited to the playground, football is a sport that has always been played at school. Whether you’re stopping shots with your feet or striking from ridiculous distances, it was always a blast.

6. Red rover – sometimes dangerous

Essentially an organised stampede, Red Rover was a highly enjoyable but occasionally dangerous game to play. Arms were sore after this one, although getting to the end made the pain worth it.

5. Kerbs/Kerby – fondly remembered by many

A game that is fondly remembered by many, all you needed was two people, a football, and a quiet road with kerbs to enjoy this one.

4. Skipping – a fun activity growing up

Although most of us can credit the pain in our knees to activities like skipping when growing up, it was a fun activity to enjoy. With two people holding a skipping rope at each end, the skipper had to jump in time without being tripped up.

3. Pogs – a game to reminisce

Pogs aren’t around anymore, but this particular addition to the list is purely to reminisce. The plastic circles of destruction were massively popular at one point.

Groups of youngsters would gather around in a circle as they aimed to smash their rival. Metal pogs were eventually banned in Ireland, though, although nobody actually knows why.

2. Tag – lots of running

Also known as tig, tag essentially tasks one person with having to chase the others in an attempt to trade places with them. Once a player is tagged, it’s on them to tag the other players.

1. Rounders – similar to baseball and cricket

Similar to baseball and cricket, rounders is a bat and a ball game where players take turns to both bat and field, with base progression being key in this one.