Nokias, punts and the smoking ban: 7 Irish teenage throwbacks

There's nothing quite as harsh as a younger friend or relative telling you "wow you're old!"

And all because we were getting reminiscent about the pre-recession days and simpler times that they missed out on.

From the end of free plastic bags to radiation scares involving Nokia 3310s, here are some of our fondest memories.

1. The Euro

Try explaining to younger siblings that we once had to change our money EVERY time we went abroad.

To be fair, a single currency has made travelling so much easier!

2. The smoking ban

Banning smoking in pubs caused mass hysteria as Irish social life pretty much revolves around alcohol.

But we took it in our stride and used smoking areas as yet another way to socialise.

Many friendships and relationships have blossomed in smoking areas since…

3. The end of free plastic bags

We would NEVER go to the supermarket without a plastic bag these days!

Yet we somehow have an entire cupboard full of reusable bags…

4.Dial up Internet

These days every kid has an iPad and can't relate to the struggles of prioritising phone calls (on the land line) over MSN time.

Don't waste your time trying to explain MSN, you'll just get teenage attitude.

5. The Spire

The giant spike acts as an unofficial meeting place and point of reference for lost tourists. It even has it's own Twitter account!

Kind of hard to imagine Dublin without it now…

6. Nokia 3310's

Officially the best phone ever!

We didn't have group chats or Tinder but we did have Snake and an industrial strength battery.

Text bundles were crucial and there was unfounded panic about our brains being fried by radiation. Ah simpler times….

7. The Luas

2004 was an exciting time to be alive, modern light-rail transport for Dublin!

We're not going to be known internationally as "the country with awful public transport" anymore!

Yeah right, 13 years later and half the city is being excavated to connect the Luas lines…

Have you got a favourite memory or a story that you would love to share with Shemazing? We'd love to hear them! Click here and you could be in with a chance of winning €250.