Recognise any of these?
In case you didn’t know, Lent finished yesterday.
That’s why there were loads of chocolate eggs and bars all over your house.
Before it started, we listed 15 things that people in Ireland experience over the 40 days of Lent. See if you recognise any.
1. People talking about the amount of pancakes they ate on Shrove Tuesday
We all know one person who boasts about the amount of pancakes they ate on Tuesday.
Congratulations, but you’re an adult now and everyone thinks it’s a bit disgusting.
2. The constant touching of the ash on Ash Wednesday
While it may not be as popular as it once was, a lot of Irish people still get ash on their forehead on Ash Wednesday.
It usually doesn’t last long though because of the repeated touching of the unusual substance on your face.
3. Inspirational quotes on Instagram
People who use Instagram love any excuse to post an inspirational quote or meme.
Imagine their excitement when they know that people are thinking of giving up stuff for 40 days. #StayStrong
4. The “Are you giving anything up for lent?” conversation
It will definitely be the most used topic of conversation in Ireland this week.
The first two times will be grand, but once you’ve been asked for the 77th time, it’ll start to grate.
5. The guy who keeps telling the worst Lent joke of all time
It’s in connection with giving stuff up and we’ve all definitely heard it at least once.
Normal man: “Are you giving up anything for Lent?” Gas man: “Yeah, I’m giving up giving things up!”
6. Watching the Father Ted Lent special
It’s almost twenty years old but it’s still one of the funniest shows on the telly.
The Lent episode will surely air on RTE or Channel 4 at some point during the 40 days. What a classic.
7. The uproar because Easter Eggs are already on sale
We really feel for people who decide to give up chocolate.
They plan on getting stuck into eggs on Easter Sunday, but they can see their prize from day one.
The fact that the eggs are on sale so far away from Easter Sunday really annoys people. We call them chocoholics.
8. The guy who flips the thing on its head and takes something up
There’s a Mr Positive in everyone’s group of friends that will use the next 40 days to develop himself.
He’ll learn how to speak French, or learn how to wind surf or help out underprivileged kids. We hate him.
To give something up or take something up. Or both…Suggestions welcome
— jamie heaslip (@jamieheaslip) February 17, 2015
9. The out of control house party on Good Friday
The year is 2015 but alcohol still isn’t for sale on Good Friday.
The handy thing for people who like the odd tipple is that you can buy drink on every other day of the year.
Good Friday house parties are becoming bigger by the year, we’re expecting more shenanigans in a few weeks.
10. The moment when you take money back out of the Trócaire box
Trócaire boxes raised €6 million for charity in 2014 which is a phenomenal show of generosity.
The Trócaire box also brings out the dark side of Irish people because we know your dirty secret.
You took money BACK OUT OF THE BOX for the bus, a takeaway delivery or a taxi, didn’t you? (We did too).
11. You’re halfway through a mega-meaty sandwich when you realise it’s Good Friday
No meat on Good Friday is the rule (if you believe in that), but why does everyone always forget?
Why is that just after you take a bite out of your pork/ham/chicken sandwich… your memory kicks in.
12. The invention of a “Lent box”
A Lent box is a box, stay with us… it’s a box where you put all the sweet things you’re not allowed to eat.
You can open it on Easter Sunday and gorge to your heart’s content.
It’s a treasure chest of sweets, it’s exciting.
13. The gradual decline in any interest in the whole thing
A person will post their sacrifice on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram so their friends think they’re a good soul.
Days later you’ll walk down the street to see them eating chocolate, smoking and guzzling beer at the same time. Caught.
14. Teachers being smug about being on their first mid-term break of the year
We’re not teachers so it’s difficult to say how tough the job is, but the holidays they get, bloody hell.
Most teachers are on their first break of the year and rightly so, it has been SIX whole weeks since Christmas.
You may spot a few of these memes knocking around the place, we’re delighted for them.
15. The food coma that will sweep across the country on Easter Sunday
In terms of food, Easter Sunday is Christmas Day in disguise.
You’ll probably have a big family dinner and you’ll inhale more sweets in that day that you would in three normal months.
This is the scene in our living room that night.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
