If you went to secondary school in Dublin from 2004 to 2010 chances are you encountered or perhaps were a D4 yourself. Judging by my own investigations this peculiar subspecies of Dublin and Irish culture died away with the end of the Noughties and the rise of the septum piercing.
But some things still remain for those who encountered the once strong and proud tribe of teens who were only ever rivalled in numbers by the long-gone emos. The privilege these kids had. The stuff they got to do, and the places they got to go. The fact they always had two cars, and an exorbitant budget to spend on those hairdresser clips and jumbo cans of Elnett.
Buying Real Ugg Boots
Most Ugg wearers I knew procured theirs from good old Penney’s, wore them three times and then as the day’s rain seeped into the soles thought: ‘Why can’t I get real ones?’. The real deal cost around €200 and although not the most aesthetically pleasing shoe, you knew that those with real Uggs had rich dads.
Sailing Lessons
Sailing lessons in Dun Laoighre were practically a prerequisite for the D4 social grouping. Éanna, Sadhbh and Clodagh would be out there on the Marina frolicking with seals , while I tried to scrape together two euro for a 99 from Teddy’s.
Wearing Tracksuits To Mass
There is no way in hell my mam would have let me away with this shoddy behaviour in the house of Our Lord, and yet I saw posh girls getting their Communion wearing those powder pink Juicy tracksuits. They looked so cosy.
Being Able To Afford A Butler’s Hot Chocolate
In my house, buying one of these would have involved some serious discussions about a credit union loan.
Feeling Confident Going Into Brown Thomas
It must have been nice as a teenager to swan into BT’s and not be watched like a hawk for fear of you robbing one of the MAC tester eyeliners. LEAVE ME IN PEACE.
The doors of BT closing in my face. Source: Giphy
Working Part Time In Brown Thomas At Christmas
I applied for this job every year as a cash-strapped teen, and I am still so convinced that once they saw that Dublin 24 postcode on my CV, I was toast.
Bringing Their School Lunch In A Brown Thomas Bag
Who did they think they were, honestly?
Being Able To Afford Every Celebrity Perfume
Curious by Britney, Heat by Beyoncé. I had a tester of Heiress by Paris Hilton that I made last six months and the rest of the time made do with Charlie or Impulse on a fancy day.
Having The Newest Edition Of School Books
*Hides copy of Busy At Maths wrapped in brown paper from 1997 in absolute shame.*
Going For Grinds At The Institute
Well lah-di-dah. I would get an A1 in Honours Maths too if I was paying a million euro a day for it.
Owning Thousands Of Lancome Juicy Tubes
Seriously these were pricey. I had one my friend gave me and I treasured it like a lucky charm.
