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Very Irish Things

684 replies

RocketPanda · 21/07/2023 10:10

A thread of appreciation of things that only seem to happen in Ireland.

I was away for two weeks and a couple of days after I returned the postman knocked on my door with a big bag of packages ( they were sent from work, only two were very delayed orders). He realised I was away so instead of leaving them and risking theft or damage he stored them for me.

Anyone else any good stories?

OP posts:
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24
Kettering · 26/07/2023 01:10

SageRosemary · 25/07/2023 23:39

Also, I am always reading here on MN about school blazers for secondary school students. Here in Ireland, we have proper waterproof rain jackets with glow in the dark piping, reversible (for the weekend!) and fleece-lined, adjustable waistband, with three pockets on the outside (all zipped) and three pockets on the inside (one zipped and two velcroed) and a hole for corded headphones, embroidered school emblem and embroidered name or initials. Made of robust stuff. DC1's lasted all the way through 6 years of secondary school (bought slightly too big initially)and looks good enough still to pass on. Blazers are for representing school in competitions etc and provided on loan by the school. If DC wear the school jacket in the morning you can be confident they'll be warm and dry from head to hip no matter the weather.

That sounds fabulous, but none of the schools where I am have anything like that unfortunately. It's either just jumpers or blazers. Is it widespread do you know? Maybe Dublin schools?

Kara234 · 26/07/2023 02:58

We still get brought back the holy water my husband had a more religious upbringing than me. He has to bless the house every night with holy water and always has a medal on the dashboard. When I was pregnant with my children I was always sent st Thereses powder to take.

almondfinger · 26/07/2023 03:03

I can confirm my children have said jacket and we are in Cork. It seems to be the preserve of the fully crested (extortionately expensive) uniformed schools. Still going strong after 3 years and am hoping to get another 3 out of it.

Choc Ices were only discontinued this summer. They always remind me of my dad.

I made my sister enter the Rose of Tralee from London. It was a dream of mine but I was too shy. Fair play to her, we all schelped up to Kilburn one night. Alas her tin whistling skills were not up to scratch. I have asked both DD's if they would give it a shot. Both have said no. Some of my dresses did get to the Dome on a friend who's DD was the South Australian Rose. My BIL went to school with Daithi, he's a complete dose, so much so I've not bothered watching the last 2 years.

It was the Calor Kosengas housewife of the year, back in the 80's. Another thing I aspired to (I loved cleaning). Alas it is no more.

Cadburys Turkish delight and Hadji Bei in the Pink Box at Christmas. Both still delicious). And Barry's tea all the way.

Has Goul been mentioned - He's a complete/total goul. (fool)

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 26/07/2023 06:07

Goul hasn't been mentioned. Neither has eejit.

Mine also have the very useful school jacket (Cork). So far, two jackets have made it through from first year to Leaving Cert. Very durable.

My Dad's favourite ice-cream was also a Choc Ice. They remind me of him.

JenniferBarkley · 26/07/2023 06:25

My school brought in the jacket when I went into second year (Dublin). My mum drove me to and from school so she said I didn't need it and I wore the world's most shapeless gaberdine for all six years. Angry

mathanxiety · 26/07/2023 06:57

@Kettering

YYY to Wibbly Wobbly Wonder. The best thing on a stick ever invented.

Kettering · 26/07/2023 07:23

The jackets have made their way south so. They sound great, I am jealous!

Aghast at the news that choc ices have been discontinued!!! I hadn't heard. I still mourn the Wibbly Wobbly Wonder @mathanxiety and now this😱

UnsungShero · 26/07/2023 08:43

School tours to somewhere religious, and then the afternoon spent on a shopping centre buying presents to take home to all your family.

My poor mother ended up with some shite between all of us.

UnsungShero · 26/07/2023 08:44

Oh, and did anyone else have religious retreats in school? We did, but they were literally in the school.

Eed get to wear our own clothes for the day and two twenty-something women would come in and tell us how alcohol/drugs/sex ruined their lives when they were 18 and how they’d turned to god.

Abhannmor · 26/07/2023 09:08

Kara234 · 26/07/2023 02:58

We still get brought back the holy water my husband had a more religious upbringing than me. He has to bless the house every night with holy water and always has a medal on the dashboard. When I was pregnant with my children I was always sent st Thereses powder to take.

What is St Therese's powder Kara? Sounds interesting.

There's a holy well near me and people often take bottles of water from it. Meant to be good for eye problems. Whether it works or not these places are lovely and peaceful.

Eyesopenwideawake · 26/07/2023 09:11

I moved to Dublin in 1995. The first time I met my partner's mammy she told me the "the yolk is in the press". I had absolutely no idea, no clue, what she'd just said to me 😂

girlswillbegirls · 26/07/2023 09:12

UnsungShero · 26/07/2023 08:43

School tours to somewhere religious, and then the afternoon spent on a shopping centre buying presents to take home to all your family.

My poor mother ended up with some shite between all of us.

😂that's so funny!

I think Derry Girls series represent very well lots of the memories you are all describing. There is an episode abut the noving statues. It's brilliant.

I'm really enjoying this thread.

turkeyboots · 26/07/2023 09:17

I love a Holy Well and very fond memories of granny taking us to the one in Sligo. It's a very special place.

In the NE counties all the schools have the sensible school coat, private, the ex convent schools and the local college. They are great.

Rockbird · 26/07/2023 10:01

Isn't it yoke? At least it was in our house.

honeyrider · 26/07/2023 10:02

Rockbird · 26/07/2023 10:01

Isn't it yoke? At least it was in our house.

Yep it's yoke

JenniferBarkley · 26/07/2023 10:53

UnsungShero · 26/07/2023 08:44

Oh, and did anyone else have religious retreats in school? We did, but they were literally in the school.

Eed get to wear our own clothes for the day and two twenty-something women would come in and tell us how alcohol/drugs/sex ruined their lives when they were 18 and how they’d turned to god.

Yes! Convent school.

I remember a slightly creepy man telling us about a fight he had with his wife on honeymoon, then we had to listen to that Beautiful South song Need A Little Time.

I think we had them in a few times, and we went away too, mainly in Transition Year.

Kara234 · 26/07/2023 11:01

Abhannmor · 26/07/2023 09:08

What is St Therese's powder Kara? Sounds interesting.

There's a holy well near me and people often take bottles of water from it. Meant to be good for eye problems. Whether it works or not these places are lovely and peaceful.

Show quote history

Hi it was a sachet of powder I was always sent them only when I was pregnant never any other time. Family members got them from the Carmelite nuns these were the nuns that never spoke or spoke at certain times I think.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 26/07/2023 11:09

In third class we went off to Mount Melleray, Co. Waterford, where there is a community of Cistercian (Trappist) monks. I have no idea why. Then afterwards we went to a shopping centre and had chips.

That was an improvement on the second class tour, however. We went to Fota Wildlife Park, but this isn't as good as it sounds as there were no animals at that time. UCC had just taken it over along with the Zoological Society of Ireland. This was in 1982. I was nine. We were shown around the vast green empty estate and told about all the wonderful animals that would inhabit it one day. Then we ate our picnic and went back on the bus. That was a bit shite, but it was 1982 and we didn't expect much. It was an event to just go on a bus.

I would like to add 'gobshite' to the list of insults. And another phrase of my father's 'Don't be acting the gom'.

Happierwithouthim · 26/07/2023 11:30

SageRosemary · 25/07/2023 23:39

Also, I am always reading here on MN about school blazers for secondary school students. Here in Ireland, we have proper waterproof rain jackets with glow in the dark piping, reversible (for the weekend!) and fleece-lined, adjustable waistband, with three pockets on the outside (all zipped) and three pockets on the inside (one zipped and two velcroed) and a hole for corded headphones, embroidered school emblem and embroidered name or initials. Made of robust stuff. DC1's lasted all the way through 6 years of secondary school (bought slightly too big initially)and looks good enough still to pass on. Blazers are for representing school in competitions etc and provided on loan by the school. If DC wear the school jacket in the morning you can be confident they'll be warm and dry from head to hip no matter the weather.

Are these jackets available for purchase by general public? If so are they nice to look at? Dd starting secondary school and will have half a mile to walk/cycle to bus stop, sounds like these would be great for her. I'll probably take her bag out and drop it off in neighbours shed if it's heavy.

LadyEloise1 · 26/07/2023 11:43

"We were shown around the vast green empty estate and told about all the wonderful animals that would inhabit it one day. Then we ate our picnic and went back on the bus. That was a bit shite but it was 1982 and we didn't expect much. It was an event just to go on a bus."
😂😂😂

Oh @FuzzyCaoraDhubh what a wonderful description- you have a real way with words.

Eyesopenwideawake · 26/07/2023 12:05

Doh, yoke - not yolk! Still didn't know what it was!

Missingthegore · 26/07/2023 12:06

Shopgirl1 · 22/07/2023 15:40

Is that a Country Spring a Donegal thing by any chance? Never seen it in my life, I’m south east, my DH is Kildare, he’s never heard of it either.

I think you are thinking of football special.
It's what puts me aside as a blow in as I hate it.

DontBeAPrickDarren · 26/07/2023 12:07

Surely the concept of Transition Year is a very Irish thing!

LadyEloise1 · 26/07/2023 12:07

Eyesopenwideawake · 26/07/2023 12:05

Doh, yoke - not yolk! Still didn't know what it was!

It was the thingamajig.
I'm positive it was.
Aren't you the right gobaluther / amadán not knowing that !

Missingthegore · 26/07/2023 12:12

Lisdoonvarna match making festival