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Back in the Day: 10 Things Only Kids Who Grew Up in 1970s Ireland Remember
Before smartphones and Netflix, there was turf smoke, clinking milk bottles, and the warm hum of a single TV channel in the corner of a sitting room. Growing up in 1970s Ireland meant simpler joys, tighter-knit communities, and memories that feel like they’re stitched into your bones. Whether you lived it yourself or heard it in stories passed down around the dinner table, the charm of that time hasn’t faded.
Also Read@ – Hidden Gems of Ireland You Might’ve Missed
Let’s take a trip down memory lane — back to the Ireland that shaped a generation.
1. Milk Bottles on the Doorstep
You’d know the day had begun when you heard the soft clink of glass on the doorstep. Delivered in the dark hours of the morning, the milk came in sturdy glass bottles with a thick foil lid. Sometimes, if the cat didn’t get there first, you’d catch a bird pecking through the foil to sip the cream off the top. And wasn’t that cream thick? It floated like gold on your tea — a proper start to the day.
There was always something comforting about that routine — seeing those bottles lined up in the wire carrier, bringing a little order to your mornings. No plastic, no preservatives — just pure milk from the farm, and a connection to a slower, steadier Ireland.
2. Turf Fires and Frozen Bedrooms
If you grew up in a house heated by a turf fire, you’ll remember it wasn’t so much the heat you felt — it was the smell. The earthy, sweet scent of burning turf filled the air, and it still brings people home in memory. Most homes had just one warm room, and the rest of the house? Baltic.
Waking up, you’d see your breath in the air and marvel at the frosty lace painted on the inside of the windows. Getting dressed was a race against the cold, and hopping into a bed warmed with a glass lemonade bottle full of hot water was the height of luxury.
3. The Angelus Bell and Sunday Best
Every evening, everything stopped for the Angelus bell. It rang out across Ireland — on TV and radio — and whether or not you prayed, you paused. It was a moment of stillness, a heartbeat shared by the entire country.
And Sundays? That was the day for Mass, no excuses. You wore your ‘Sunday best,’ even if it meant scratchy tights or a clip-on tie. The wooden pews, the smell of incense, the quiet shuffles and coughs — they’re still with us.
Afterwards, there was the roast dinner, the Cadbury’s treat, and that odd mix of peace and boredom that Sundays always brought. Related: Discover Ireland’s Cathedral Trail
4. Slabs of Cidona and Tayto Crisps
School’s out, and you’re off to the corner shop with your few pence. You might grab a slab of Cidona — the sweet, fizzy apple drink that somehow felt more special than Coca-Cola. Alongside it? A bag of Tayto crisps. Real crisps, full of crunch and that mouth-watering cheese and onion punch.
These weren’t just snacks — they were memories made edible. Sitting on the wall outside the shop with your mates, swapping ghost stories, maybe even tearing up a few pages of a Beano — that was a perfect day.
5. The Late Late Show with Gay Byrne
Friday nights were sacred. Not because of parties or plans — but because Gay Byrne was coming on the telly. The Late Late Show was more than just a programme — it was where the country came to talk, laugh, argue, and be surprised.
From shocking debates to unforgettable musical guests, Gaybo made you feel like part of something bigger. You’d stay up just to hear what he’d say, and every adult had an opinion on Monday morning.
6. The Shop Note and a Bit of Change
“Take this and ask Mrs. Murphy for a half-pound of rashers, a quarter loaf, and ten Players — and mind you get the change.”
You’d carry that crumpled note like it was a bank bond. No questions asked. The shopkeeper would read it, nod, and slide the goods into a brown paper bag. If you were lucky, they’d throw in a few penny sweets.
It was a rite of passage — a little act of grown-up responsibility, written in biro on a scrap of envelope.
7. P.E. in the Yard — Vest, Bare Feet, and a Wind That Cut Through You
There were no branded gym kits or sports halls. P.E. in the 1970s meant the schoolyard, a sponge football, and bare feet — even if it was lashing rain or blowing sideways.
You’d be out there in your vest and shorts, shivering but determined. Nobody worried about health and safety. You ran, slipped, and laughed — and maybe caught a cold, but sure you were grand by Monday.
8. Brown Paper-Covered Schoolbooks
Every September, the kitchen table turned into a production line. Mam would sit with a roll of brown paper, wrapping the schoolbooks with surgeon-like precision. Sticky tape curled and stuck to everything but the books, but by the end of the night, your schoolbag looked sharp.
You’d draw on the covers — maybe a few hearts or your favourite band’s name — and hope the paper didn’t rip before mid-term.
9. One TV Channel (Two If You Were Fancy)
There was RTÉ — and that was it. Unless you had a good aerial and a bit of luck, then maybe you picked up BBC or HTV from across the water.
Programmes weren’t just entertainment — they were appointments. You planned your evening around Wanderly Wagon, Bosco, or The Riordans. And when colour TV finally came to your town? Magic.
10. GAA Heroes and Handmade Hurleys
For many kids, the dream wasn’t to play in the Premier League — it was to play for your county. The GAA was the beating heart of every village, and your heroes lived down the road.
Hurleys were often made in the shed, passed down from cousins, or lovingly shaped by a neighbour. You’d take to the pitch in hand-me-down boots and a jersey three sizes too big. And you’d feel ten feet tall.
Want to visit the GAA Museum at Croke Park? A pilgrimage for anyone who remembers the glory days.
Conclusion
These weren’t just childhood moments — they were cornerstones of a way of life. In the 1970s, growing up in Ireland meant finding magic in the everyday, pride in simplicity, and joy in the shared experience. Whether you were raised there or carry the stories in your blood, these memories connect us all.
What do you remember from growing up in Ireland? Share your favourite memory below — and join our newsletter to keep the stories of old Ireland alive.
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