1. It was a Nice Place to Shop
That placard beckoning people in off the N7 was always a sign that you were almost home.
However, there appears to be no photographic proof that the sign every existed. A tragedy.
2. Hanging around The Gem was the only place to be spotted
The jewel in the crown of Poplar Square.
3. Capri chips are the best chips in Ireland
Ah The Kip. Snackbox heaven.
4. You’d often meet people down The Dip
That sacred meeting ground between Kingsfurze and Woodlands.
5. Or maybe down The ‘Nal
Few naggins, be grand.
6. Patsy Bud Kelly was a local legend
RIP PK old friend :(
7. The Townhouse was your only man for functions
Musical society party? Townhouse. Someone’s 18th? Townhouse.
8. Everyone knows someone who worked in McDonald’s
Few free chips by any chance?
9. There was always a rumour that someone had gotten trapped inside the Big Ball
Or “Perpetual Motion”, to give it its real name.
10. St Mary’s skirts were quare short
They’ve replaced them with ground sweeping kilts at this stage, but back in the day those A-line minis raised a few eyebrows.
11. And don’t get us started on the St Mary’s P.E. skirts
Skirts?
Or belts?
12. Everyone remembers the day Penneys started stocking the wine tights
No more pilgrimages to Prouts for £7 tights.
13. No bargain was too much of a bargain for Donal’s
Six plates, one mophead and 17 twirls? £3.50 please.
14. You went to St Mary’s, or the CBS or the Tech
15.Everyone knew someone who went to Kilcullen.
Or Newbridge College, the posh shites.
15. The Paddocks and The Sycamores were posh as anything
16. Getting days off school when Punchestown was on
17. The Court lit up like a Christmas tree for Punchestown week
People swinging out of the rafters.
18. Going out to Punchestown for underage discos
Or the Rugby Club, if you were feeling swanky.
19. Lamps, then Ambo
20. Outgrowing The Ambo at 17 and heading to The Soundhouse
The Ambo was over 18s and The Soundhouse was over 21s. Rarely was either enforced.
21. Clancy’s taxis bringing you home from every event, ever
22. The Playhouse in Superquinn had an epic selection of toys
Not to mention the jam doughnuts.
23. The Caspo Centre acting as a kind of a wind tunnel
Fairly grim, as shopping centres go.
23. Dara 1 or Dara 2?
Dara 2 was the same size as your sitting room, to be fair.
24. Buying a pair of purple flares and some incense on Basin Street
25. Getting attacked by swans at Lakelands
Luckily it was hospital adjacent.
26. Post-school treats at Scrumptious
Bringing ham rolls (with crisps on the side long before anyone was doing crisps on the side) and ice cream sundaes (with dolly mixture) to Naas in the early and mid nineties. Glam.
