For a lot of us primary school is but a distant, Capri-Sun, Club Milk-hazed memory. But if you wrack your brains hard enough, a mountain of wonderful childhood memories should come rushing back to you.
So take a step back in time with us as we count down ten primary school memories we all take with us through life…
1. Diarmuid an Dragún, Áine Asal and Pól Peist…
Were just some of your favourite Irish characters. You were permanently ‘Busy at Maths,’ your books were covered ‘Bun Go Barr’ in brown paper, and Ann and Barry (along with Tara and Ben) were your #friendshipgoals.
2. Being ‘called over’ during Red Rover…
Was a bigger challenge than anything you ever faced in the seomra ranga. And God love you if you were the last to sit down during Orange Balls. Y
3. Never going to the toilet…
Without throwing your lámh in the air and saying: “An bhfuil cead agam dul go dtí an leithreas?” You wouldn’t even dream of it. Not in a million years. Not even if your bladder was about to burst.
4. Meeting your pal at the bosca bruscair…
To “top your pencils.” A.k.a. have the chats. All of the chats you’d probably already had at sos beag, but sure that didn’t bother either of you. There was always more to say.
5. Playing tunes like ‘The Rattlin’ Bog’ on the tin whistle…
With your class in front of the entire school. And then dancing ‘The Walls of Limerick,’ ‘The Sweets of May,’ and/or ‘The Siege of Ennis’ at the annual school concert. There was always that one sweaty hand you dreaded holding. Always.
6. Getting the giggles…
While you were serving Mass. Never being sure when to ring the bell, and stressing about dropping the chalice (not to mind the thurible) at 11 o’clock Mass.
7. You couldn’t wait for Sports Day…
It was the highlight of your school year. You had some serious moves to bust during the high jump competition. Not to mention during the wheelbarrow and/or leap frog races. The stuff of legends.
8. Roaring every song you knew at top of your voice…
On every bus journey. Swimming lessons, the school tour, camogie matches, the Hallelujah Concert. It didn’t matter where you were going. You also enjoyed roaring at the bus driver to turn up the radio when the Spice Girls came on the radio.
9. The anticipation…
About the arrival of the annual Folen’s Siamsa. Every single year. Admit it; you could not get enough of those books.
10. The moment you graduated to ‘joined writing’
A landmark moment in every Irish child’s life, often coinciding with the big move from the peann luaidhe to the cartridge pen. This also started your love affair with eraser pens – after you figured out the below rubber didn’t rub anything out. It just put holes in the pages of your coipleabhar.
