Meanwhile in Ireland

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!

    What's Hot

    NI rare blue lobster catch a ‘two million to one shot’

    February 8, 2023

    Eurovision 2023: Wild Youth selected to represent Ireland

    February 8, 2023

    Culinary expert shares how to make Paul Mescal’s favourite childhood dish

    February 8, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Meanwhile in Ireland
    • Home
    • News
    • Craic
    • Sports
    • More
      • Culture
      • Dublin
      • Funny
      • Irish People
      • Interesting News
      • Satire
      • The Drink!
      • Travel
      • TV and Movies
      • Viral
    Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok
    Meanwhile in Ireland
    You are at:Home » News » Culture » 10 things you could do in Ireland in the 80s that you can’t do now
    Culture History

    10 things you could do in Ireland in the 80s that you can’t do now

    Jade PoleonBy Jade PoleonOctober 19, 2022No Comments5 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share:
    Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Pinterest Email

    There is no doubt that Ireland is an ever-changing country, but these things which were typical in the 80s will prove just that.

    Ireland has changed a lot over the years, and there are many things we witnessed in the 1980s that we certainly wouldn’t see today in Ireland.

    With Ireland becoming a busier, more populated country and more restrictions appearing, we can look back and see just how different life was in the old days. So, let’s see how many things you remember.

    Here are ten things you could do in Ireland in the 80s that you can’t do now.

    10. Drive without an NCT test – no need for it

    Driving without an NCT is one of the things you could do in Ireland in the 80s that you can't do now.
    Credit: pixabay.com

    Believe it or not, the NCT or National Car Test was just brought into Ireland in 2000, so before this, you could drive to your heart’s content without worrying about the dreaded NCT.

    In the 80s, it was a luxury to have a car, so when you did, you made sure it was well maintained regardless.

    9. Win a walkman as a prize – the sought-after device

    Win a walkman is one of the things you could do in Ireland in the 80s that you can't do now.
    Credit: commonswikimedia.org

    While many things out there today captivate us, such as the latest iPhone, Go Pros or even high-tech drones, the walkman was the most sought-after music box of the 80s.

    One of the things you could do in the 80s was win a walkman as a first prize, which was as exciting as it got.

    8. Let your kids play on the street – when kids could be kids

    Let your kids play on the street is one of the things you could do in Ireland in the 80s that you can't do now.
    Credit: pxhere.com

    Back in the 80s, there were far fewer cars on the road than there are today, so letting your kids play out on the road was quite normal, as well as the fact that we generally knew all our neighbours, so it was a safe thing to do.

    However, a lot has changed these days, and it’s not something we can easily do anymore.

    7. Enjoy holidays at Mosney – the best place for summer adventures

    Holiday in Mosney is one of the things you could do in Ireland in the 80s that you can't do now.
    Credit: commonswikimedia.org

    Mosney, located in County Meath, was the place to go for the holidays since it was the first Butlin’s holiday camp outside the UK and provided all the necessary facilities for families and groups.

    It was opened in 1948 as Butlin’s and became Mosney Holiday Centre from 1982 until 2000 when it had its last season.

    6. Rent a video – the weekend event

    Rent a video
    Credit: commonswikimedia.org

    One of the things you could do in Ireland in the 80s that you can’t do now is rent a video. Videos are a thing of the past, and in the 80s, renting a video from your local Xtravision was the highlight of the weekend, not to mention the whole experience of choosing the film and the treats to go with it.

    5. Get away with wearing leg warmers – the 80s fashion statement

    Wearing leg warmers is one of the things you could do in Ireland in the 80s that you can't do now.
    Credit: pxhere.com

    Yes, the 80s was the era for legwarmers, and not many people would venture outside wearing a pair of leggings with accompanying leg warmers. However, in the 1980s, this was as normal as a crisp sandwich.

    4. Let your dog roam free – freedom for dogs

    You get let your dog roam free.
    Credit: pxhere.com

    We all had the local neighbourhood dogs who walked around from house to house and then returned home in the evening.

    This was a normal thing in the 80s, but now with more and more restrictions for dogs being off lead and busy roads, neither is allowed or safe to do in modern Ireland.

    3. Get more for your money – a pound went a long way

    The punt was the currency.

    In the 1980s in Ireland, the currency was the Irish pound, not the euro. The 80s was not a booming time for the country, and while there weren’t many chances for luxury items, we certainly did get more for our pound than we do for our euro these days.

    Most 80s children will recall buying a whole host of sweets and treats for under a pound, which cannot be said for Ireland in 2022.

    2. Drive on Dublin’s beaches – the freedom of the coast

    You could drive on Dublin beaches in the 80s.
    Credit: pexels.com

    Most Dubliners will remember the days when you spent the summer parking the car on the beach, putting out the picnic blanket and enjoying the glorious weather.

    In contrast, others may even remember learning to drive on beaches such as Donabate and Dollymount Beach, which is now restricted.

    1. Smoke indoors – an authentic smoky Irish pub

    You could smoke indoors.

    One of the things you could do in Ireland in the 80s that you can’t do now is smoke indoors until the ban came in 2004, which included workplaces, bars, restaurants and enclosed public places.

    Ireland was the first country to introduce such a ban, and many other countries followed.

    So, there it is, ten things you could do in Ireland in the 80s that you can’t do now. Do they ring a bell?

    Share. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Avatar photo
    Jade Poleon

    Jade is a seasoned traveller, yoga enthusiast, adventure seeker and travel writer passionate about seeing the world and sharing hidden gems with others. As well as having travelled to 91 countries thus far, she has written for several websites, including The World Bucket List, Meanwhile in Ireland and Ireland Before You Die. In 2022 Jade’s first book ‘ The Ultimate Irish Road Trip Guide’ was published and is currently available on Amazon. She is a keen writer of satirical articles, as well as ‘The best things to do’ and ‘The best dishes to try’ around the globe. Jade is currently on a campervan adventure around Europe, where she continues to get her travel and food inspiration. She is excited to share what she discovers with her readers.

    Related Posts

    10 weird foods you’ll only find in Ireland

    By Jade PoleonFebruary 6, 2023

    Top 10 things that were illegal in Ireland 100 years ago

    By Grainne KavanaghFebruary 2, 2023

    Top 20 IRISH SLANG words for getting DRUNK

    By Grainne KavanaghJanuary 31, 2023

    KILKENNY CATS: the HISTORY of this iconic phrase

    By Grainne KavanaghJanuary 19, 2023
    Latest Articles

    NI rare blue lobster catch a ‘two million to one shot’

    February 8, 2023

    Eurovision 2023: Wild Youth selected to represent Ireland

    February 8, 2023

    Culinary expert shares how to make Paul Mescal’s favourite childhood dish

    February 8, 2023

    10 weird foods you’ll only find in Ireland

    February 6, 2023
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    Don't Miss

    Irish Politician Has ‘No Recollection’ Of Promises He Made During Last Election

    By Gerald LeinsterApril 25, 2019

    A politician from County Clare is said to be recovering in hospital from what doctors…

    Guinness to be renamed as ‘Smirnoff Irish Stout’, Diageo confirms

    February 25, 2020

    My low and angry moods have nothing to do with my coke habit, claims Cokehead

    December 2, 2019

    What is a Banshee? The meaning of Ireland’s terrifying spirit

    October 20, 2021

    Subscribe to our Newsletter!

    We specialise in Bizarre Irish News, Viral Videos and general Irish Craic.

    • Home
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Guests Posts
    • Team
    • Work for us
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Copyright
    Follow us

    Connect with us on your favourite social media app.

    Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube TikTok
    Contact us

    19 Arthur St, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 4GA.

    [email protected]

    Subscribe to our Newsletter!

    ©Copyright 2019 - Meanwhile in Ireland | Trading under Emerald Green Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.