For anyone growing up in Ireland in the 90s and 00s, a trip to the local shop after school or on a Saturday afternoon was a much-anticipated treat. With a bit of pocket money burning a hole in your pocket, big decisions had to be made! You were faced with a wide variety of snacks and sweets that have now become iconic symbols of Irish childhood. These sugary and salty delights were the cornerstone of after-school hangouts, summer days, and cinema trips.
The crisps section, just below the counter was always a good starting point. Meanies, with their tangy pickled onion punch, were a top choice, while Wheelies and Burger Bites offered their own satisfying crunch. Most importantly, you could get them for 10p, leaving you loads of cash to play with. These crisps were packed with flavour and made even the shortest walk home from school feel special.
No snack trip would be complete without a fizzy drink, and Cadet Cola was the budget-friendly, sugary kick every kid loved. Paired with a salty snack, it hit the spot every time.
For the hot summer days (i.e, that one sunny afternoon in August!), ice creams were a must. The Wibbly Wobbly Wonder, was the stuff of legend. An intoxicating mix of ice cream, chocolate and jelly, you were really living the dream to have the cash for one of these. Fat Frogs were a middle of the road choice, with a juicy flavour and a green colour that probably had our parents very concerned. And Freaky Foot, well, that may have sparked off interests that we didn’t know we had until much later!
When it came to sweets, the variety was endless. The Push Pop was a lollipop you could save for later—though most of us never did. It was also full of 90s attitude, with it’s catchphrase, “Don’t Push Me, Push A Push Pop.” I can almost see my baseball cap turning backwards, a sure sign of a Bart Simpson-esque 90’s rascal! For chocolate lovers, Taz Bars and Freddos were a delicious bargain. Small change could easily get you a handful of Blackjacks, Postman Pat Sweets, or Wham Bars, perfect for munching during a trip to the cinema.
These snacks weren’t just food—they were a part of life, a highlight of growing up in Ireland during the 90s and 00s, giving us memories as sweet as the treats themselves.
Join Stephen Daly on ‘Drivetime’ between 3pm and 6pm every Monday and Tuesday.
