11 things the Irish will give up for Lent this year

It's coming up to that time of the year again – that's right: Lent. If you don't know what it is, in a nutshell: it's 40 days of of not being able to do what you want to do and lasts for about six weeks leading up to Easter. In the rest of the world it's seen as total madness but in Ireland it's penance.

This year it's from 13 February (Ash Wednesday) to 30 March – except for St Patrick's Day of course because we all know that even Jesus eats sweets on Paddy's Day!

So really it's like the New Year's Resolutions (but only having to abide by them for six weeks), Lent is seen as one excuse to become more 'healthier' and more unhappy.

Here are of the 11 top things that people usually 'give up' during Lent starting with the classics.

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1. Sweets and Crisps

Probably the most common thing for kids to give up during Lent are the sweeties and crisps. For six long and excruciating weeks, gone are the refreshers bars, double dips and Taytos and in come the apples.

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2. Chocolate

Image: timsackton

With the promise that you'd get more chocolate eggs from the Easter Bunny if you stayed away from the chocolate for Lent this was another popular choice to give up

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3. Cigarettes

Image: Fried Dough

Another popular choice for Lent is to give up are the fags. Who knows, maybe at the end of it all they'll be gone for good.

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4. Alcohol

Image: Lynda Giddens

Sometimes people make more of a promise to not drink as much rather than giving up the booze altogether. But sure an 'A' for effort as they say.

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5. Coffee

Image: epSos.de

Whether its an Espresso, Latte or Americano or we've become quite the coffee lovers here in Ireland. Maybe, dare I say too much? Lent is a good time to cut down on the caffeine, at least for a short while. Who knows, you may actually come to love Green Tea.*

*Statement may not be true

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6. Takeaways and Fast Food

Image: Stefou!

I'm pretty sure that we're all guilty of going for convenience foods rather than the 'healthy' alternative. So goodbye delicious 4 in 1s, burgers and Chicken Chow Mein - see you in six weeks.

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7. Swearing

Feck it, sure why not!?

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8. Cheese

Image: Steel Wool

This is one of my own vices but I'm sure it's many of yours too. Cheese. It's everywhere, on pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and even in salads. I know I need to cut down on my intake...

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9. Facebook

Image: aranarth

'Sure aren't your eyes sore from all that computer nonsense?' - a classic Mammy statement. Maybe not altogether (because of course you need to make sure people know that you're still alive) but you could certainly give up a few hours to read or... something. 

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10. Complaining about everything

I know, I know, we do love to complaining in Ireland but isn't it better to just to lessen off on the doom and gloom and 'extenuate the positive ' for six times. It'll be difficult to refrain from giving out about the weather but you can do it!

Besides, now you don't even have to complain yourself anymore but get an Irish choir to do it for you.

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11. And finally... Rollerblading

Yes. Rollerblading - there are those who won't admit how addicted they are to this mad sport. Father Dougal had to give it up for Lent because of his grá for it.

You can watch the whole episode here.

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So what will you be giving up for Lent? Will it be the traditional vices or something more usual? I know I'll be attempting to give up cheese. I also know that Rick Astley won't leave me alone for the six weeks either: