IF EVER THERE was a time to root through the presses at home, it’s now, because RTÉ and the National Museum are looking for some modern Irish treasures.
And we’re not talking pricey stuff either. They want Bosco mugs, JFK memorabilia, Italia 90 gear – anything that gives an idea of what’s happened in Ireland over the past 100 years.
The objects will be collected in a public roadshow next month, with a four-part TV show on the project to air next year.
Basically, it’s the Antiques Roadshow, with objects of great sentimental value to the country as opposed to priceless family heirlooms. People have been submitting their finds to the project website – and it’s a wonderful trip down memory lane.
An Italia 90 tea tin
‘Jack’s World Cuppa’. The artistry!
The Millennium Candle
Each household received one of these towards the end of 1999 (and each household probably has still has it, unlit, untouched in the back of a cabinet).
The infamous iodine tablets
Given out by the government in 2002 in case of a ‘nuclear incident’. What’s the plan this time around, lads?
A ticket from Nirvana’s gig at The Point in 1992
The band’s last show in Ireland – they were due to play the RDS on the very day Kurt Cobain was found dead.
A Roy Keane sticker from the 2002 World Cup
Produced before the Saipan incident, of course.
A milk bottle celebrating Dublin’s millennium in 1988
When your city is 1000 years old, the least you can do is make a ceremonial milk bottle.
A Fortycoats & Co mug
Irish people of a certain vintage will remember Fortycoats, one of the main characters of Wanderly Wagon. This mug was released as a tie in with his spinoff show, which ran from 1983 to 1988.
A pound to euro calculator
An invaluable object back in 2002.
A plate commemorating the visits of Pope John XXIII and President John F Kennedy
Irish people are great fans of the Pope and JFK, so why not honour them both on the one plate? The image here was reproduced from a 1963 painting called The Peace Sowers.
And a tape of Zig and Zag’s Christmas No 1
Thankfully, a video of Zig and Zag performing their 1990 hit still exists on the internet.
You can have a look at all the stuff submitted so far here - and if you’ve found anything you think might be of interest, submit a photo.
