14 Amazing Ads From The 1990s That You’ll Never Forget

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Ah, the ’90s.

We’re partial to a bit of nostalgia for the decade, whether it be for the fads that we all experienced or what Halloween was like back then, it’s always a bit amazing to look back on those years.

We’ve decided to take you on another little tour of your formative decade with this compilation of some of the best ads that appeared on Irish TV channels at the time.

1. Pat the Baker

Here’s a real classic. The music, the animation, the bread, this Pat the Baker ad will be forever ingrained in our memories.

2. Kerrygold

In a Kerrygold ad, the butter is much like the sexual tension: you could cut it with a knife. As this classic “who’s taking the horse to France?” example illustrates.

3. Guinness

Ireland’s favourite beer company have released some brilliant ads over the years, but this one featuring a man dancing in anticipation of a pint has to be the greatest. That’s right, even better than the one with Michael Fassbender in it.

4. ESB

This ESB ad featuring a father waking up in the middle of the night to sooth a crying baby first appeared in the ’80s, but it resurfaced in the ’90s because of its popularity. It’s just plain lovely.

5. Milk

This is where you found out that them bones them bones need calcium.

6. Kit Kat

Huh, I’m only getting that Taxi Driver reference now.

7. Esat Digifone

If you can’t remember this one, I’ll just say that you should definitely watch it. It’s actually still hilarious.

The Guy from the Bar from Russell Curran Productions on Vimeo.

8. Rice Krispies

Oh Snap, Crackle and Pop, what crazy misadventure will you find yourselves in next? Something to do with falling in a bowl of cereal, I imagine.

9. Jaffa Cakes

To this day, I can’t eat a jaffa cake without repeating the mantra: Full moon. Half moon. Total eclipse.

10. Jenga

This was back when Jenga was a game for kids, and not just an ironic pastime for hipsters.

11. Buckeroo

I don’t know what a ‘buckerootin’ good time’ entails, but this ad made me desperate to find out.

12. Winegums

Our research indicates that 90% of you will say, “there’s a moose loose aboot this hoose” aloud upon watching this video.

13. Penneys’ Christmas

While this one was first created in the ’80s, it resurfaced in ’96 to melt hearts around the country.

14. Barry’s Tea

For me, this has to be the quintessential ’90s ad, and it leaves so many questions unanswered. Did her mother ever finish painting the bedroom? How did Shep manage to check airplanes flying overhead when dogs can’t look up? Did she ever manage to get it together with the village dreamboat John O’Brien?

Only one thing is certain: Barry’s Tea is nice.