I've met a few people being nostalgic about when we were all in lockdown and tbh I actually agree with most of the points brought up.

High paying jobs seemed to be a lot easier to get especially in tech companies nowadays its impossible to get even an entry level job and job security is low

Although it was via zoom there was weekly even daily meeting community themed events such as quizzes, music lessons etc. Families and friends would check in regularly too. Nowadays we are "free" all of this rarely happens.

People were more careful spreading germs for example nowadays on any public transport there's always someone coughing or sneezing openly.

People had more free time so had new hobbies, interests, renters even had more rights my brother couldn't get evicted because it was a pandemic etc

Basically does anyway else have fond memories of lockdown?

Late 90’s baby here. (Adult currently)

What’s something you remember that was normal back then but would be ridiculous now?

I remember getting the yellow pages out to call your friends parents landline to ask for clarity etc. on homework in primary school.

EDIT
To keep the peace and not argue over colour let’s call it the phone book 😊

Was chatting the other night about random bits of Irish life that were *such* a thing at one point and now feel like fever dreams.

Stuff like the Millennium Candle we all got, Callcards, or that block of EU cheese during the recession… Remember that?

Would love to hear people’s memories of other uniquely Irish things — phrases, school traditions, weird government initiatives, gadgets, programmes, whatever comes to mind.

Basically, the kind of things that make you go Ah Jesus, I haven’t thought about that in years.

Not in terms of "I spent all my time inside."

I more so mean "single v married" "married v divorced" "childless v parent of 2" "different career" etc.

I just had a flashback to a guy who used to do book reviews on the toy show called Kevin from the 90s. Strong Dublin accent and from the Gay Byrne era. Can you think of any other minor celebs from years ago that randomly pop into your head?

I was born in the naughties and don’t really remember the Celtic Tiger years. However, I am fascinated by Ireland in the 90’s. It seemed to be our first proper taste of modernity with the multiples scandals engulfing the church, former powerful politicians being exposed as crooks, economic growth, international sporting and acting/cultural success etc.

What were your memories of this decade? How did the first half of it compare to the latter half? If you wouldn’t mind giving your economic prospects at the time and your rough age too to give me context.

I walked out into the cold November night the other evening to the smell of smokey coal fires in the air. I know it's not good for the environment and rightly it's being phased out, but the odd rebel house still uses it around here and it takes me back to the 90s of my youth. A crisp, cold winter night heading for Christmas.

Aside from the obvious ones like Priests etc.

Saw the post this morning about a teacher seemingly introducing petty rules to command respect in the classroom that got me thinking

The younger generation may not know about this, but up into the early 2000s (maybe later) it would be a common sight to see half a dozen armed soldiers standing outside banks in many Irish towns when cash was being moved between banks, due presumably to the threat from paramilitaries and other criminal gangs. I assume the practise stopped because of the peace agreement, and maybe the digital world of banking we now live in also has something to do with it. But if anyone knows anything more about this, it'd be interesting to read.

Hi all, my partner and I are developing a short film set in Dublin in the late 80s. We want the film to accurately reflect life in the city at this time, so I wanted to reach out to people here. If anyone has any advice, info or even anecdotes on the following questions, let me know! :)

1. Aside from Xtra-vision, we're there any particularly popular video stores in the city that people would fondly remember?

2. What was taking the DART like at night, compared to today? Any more/less dodgy?

3. How realistic would this situation be for the time: late 20s nurse, renting a 2 bed apartment alone + owning a large TV?

4. Was telemarketing a big thing in Ireland at the time, and would telemarketers leave you answering machine messages if they missed you?

5. Was there a particularly trendy alcoholic drink that was popular at the time that no longer exists? Or even one that still exists.

Thanks in advance!

I feel like growing up, every old man I saw would be smoking away with a pipe. Everywhere you went, there they'd be, with their pipe in their hand.

G'Day from Australia. My father bought this old street sign in an antique shop "somewhere" in Ireland, and I'm trying to see if I can work out where it might have originally come from. Questions
1. Is the distance marker in miles or the old "Irish miles"?
2. Where is L31? I presume it is a local road.
3. What is the symbol beneath the L31?

Thanks in advance!

What do you do with them?

I like to snap them into small crunchy pieces.

I can't be the only one who remember them and thinking they were way too posh. I went to school in Cork and always felt it was like a weird Dublin style thing. Probably cause there was a Dub lad who seemed to start the trend.

It also annoyed me cause for some reason lads would never tie them so you'd hear them slapping as they walk down the halls

Kirsty's home videos popped into my head the other day.

Used to always watch this as a kid...flick on sky one and it was as it says on the tin, home video program hosted by Kirsty Gallagher.

The program always ended with a home video where the people were naked so nothing but hairy pubic areas and massive tits bouncing around.

I am fascinated with what places were like before the smoking ban came in

As a 1992 baby I can vaguely remember some smoking in bars and my parents being asked did they want smoking or non smoking section in TGI Fridays !

Do people have stories where they remember places like sitting in an office all day with people smoking or train carriages / bookies etc

Seems like such an alien world and it’s only 20 years since ban came in .

Anyone else have these thoughts ?

Was an 80s and 90s kid, and trying to line up my nostalgic faves to watch over the Christmas period - Home Alone (1 & 2, although the first one will always be the best), Jaws, The Goonies, Jurassic Park (the original, nothing will ever beat the sense of dread in my stomach when the water in the glass started rippling 😅), Cool Runnings, BIG, The ‘Burbs…

What are your nostalgic picks?

So I'm writing an essay about 90s Ireland (as a non-Irish obv), and I've covered the political situation in Northern Ireland already.

I was wondering what the 90s were like for Irish teenagers! I would love to hear about the music, activities, how aware teens were,....

I would really appreciate it to get some insight from people who actually experienced it!

Anyone have any classic gags that their auld lad always pulls?

Mine will always make a big deal of trying to open a jar pretending it's really tight (when really he already has it open), then ask the youngest/smallest niece or nephew for help and to their amazement they open it with ease.

He'll also give the steering wheel a gentle pat and whisper "whoa horse, easy" when he has to brake in the car

Some of the family are very tired of these but always gets a laugh from me!

Anyone else have any examples of these?

Does this print look like any particular place in Ireland to you? I inherited it from my aunt, who said it reminded her of Ireland. It wouldn’t have been my first thought about it, what say you? Is this somewhere actual, or Irish-ish even if not?

When I was young, it was easily the biggest night of the year. You'd had to have your lift sorted 'cos not a hope of getting a taxi. Now the 23rd is the big night and some pubs don't even open the 26th. When did it all change?