Primary school in Ireland was a special time for us all. It definitely left us with a lot of memories.
Going to school in Ireland means that there are many things you will remember that other nations won’t relate to.
Irish schools have a certain character about them, and there were many experiences that we just love to look back on.
Let’s check out these ten things you’ll remember if you went to primary school in Ireland.
10. The uniform – fashion was not on our side
There is very little chance that you could have forgotten about that uniform you wore for seven years of your life, but if you have, then we are here to remind you.
Almost everyone in Ireland had to wear a uniform in primary school, and secondary school for that matter.
However, the uniforms varied from school to school. It’s safe to say that no one ever loved their uniform. Just imagine a pinafore or slacks, an elastic tie, and a woollen jumper to match.
9. School tours – any excuse to get away from school
Irish primary schools were renowned for their school tours. We went on so many of them, but not always to the most exciting places.
Many of us will remember trips to farms, information centres, or even dull museums. However, there were some that were great fun, such as outdoor adventure tours or even trips abroad.
8. The Irish school lunches – our favourite meal of the day
One of the things you’ll remember if you went to primary school in Ireland would be lunch boxes with Capri Suns, Club Milks, ham sandwiches and maybe even a packet of Tayto if you were lucky.
When the lunch bell rang, we couldn’t be more excited to see what our mam or dad had packed for us, and if we didn’t like it, we would swap with our classmates.
7. Having to ask to go to the toilet in Irish – the first Irish sentence we all learn
Many teachers encouraged students to practice Irish when possible, and one of the sure-fire ways of getting them to do this was to ask to go to the toilet in Irish.
Chances are many of us who went to an Irish primary school will have said, “An bfhuil cead agam dul amach go dti an leithreas, maith se do thoile”, on more than one occasion.
6. Sports Day – the best day of the school year
One of the things you’ll remember if you went to school in Ireland is sports day. A day of fun, games, and the best of all – no school. Plus, who could forget the egg and spoon race?
5. Non-uniform Day – the day to be creative
Unlike many European countries, who wear their own clothes to school all year round, for us Irish, it was a novelty to have a non-uniform day.
It meant we could finally throw our boring school outfits to the side for one day and be more creative with our style – and some got very creative!
4. Having a nun as a teacher – a school tradition
Nuns have traditionally been running the classrooms in Ireland for a long time, and many of us will remember having a teacher or a principal who was a nun, or even a priest, for that matter.
Ireland was a traditionally religious country, so this was common all over the island but is less common these days.
3. Religion as a subject – our least favourite subject
Given that Ireland has a religious background, this was a major subject for kids from an early age. Religion classes taught us about many stories from the bible and the history of religion in Ireland.
2. Sugradh, Spraoi, Sonas & Siamsa books – a school child’s favourite book
These four books were the tell-tale sign that Christmas in Ireland had officially begun, especially when they entered the classroom.
Those who got their hands on these books got to enjoy Christmas puzzles, quizzes, games, stories and even competitions.
1. Covering your books in brown paper – an annual event
One of the main things you’ll remember if you went to primary school in Ireland is preparing for a new school year by wrapping your books in brown paper.
If you were lucky, you got to wrap your books in more colourful, shiny paper!
So there we have it. Ten things you’ll definitely remember if you went to primary school in Ireland, that’s for sure. But which one was your greatest memory?
