A 99 Ice Cream Cone is a favorite summertime treat in Ireland. Loved by all, both young and old, soft serve ice cream in Ireland is the best in the world in my book.
Soft, creamy, delicious, vanilla flavour ice cream is swirled on top of a wafer cone and topped with a milk chocolate flake bar, a crumbly stick of chocolate.
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Ice Cream Replicas Outside Shops in Ireland
When summer approaches in Ireland large plastic ice cream cones start appearing on curb sides outside newsagents, supermarkets, and sweet shops.
These plastic replicas of Ireland's favorite summer time treat beckon to us, reminding us that it's always time for a 99.
What is a 99 in Ireland?
And what, you may ask, is a "99"?
If you've ever taken a trip to Ireland then you will know exactly what I mean when I mention a 99.
And if you've never been to Ireland, but plan on taking a trip there someday, then it's important to learn all about 99 ice creams.
A "99" is a soft serve vanilla ice cream in a wafer cone with a stick of flaky milk chocolate lovingly placed at the side. The vanilla ice cream boasts a creamy texture and is not overly sweet.
That stick of flaky milk chocolate is the distinctive feature of a 99.
This is Ireland's and the UK's favourite ice cream, and definitely the most popular ice cream in the Emerald Isle.
Topped with a Flaky Chocolate Stick
The milk chocolate flake can be placed on top, but usually it sticks out at the side.
The chocolate is a very specific crumbly variety made by Cadbury and known as a Flake.
These chocolate bars were first developed in 1920 by the Cadbury company in England at their Bournville factory. By the 1930's they were producing half length sticks of Flake specifically for topping off ice cream cones.
An employee at Cadbury noticed how excess chocolate dripping from moulds cooled in layered ripples and was inspired to create this famous chocolate bar.
The exact process for creating Flakes is deemed to be a top secret and never shared by the good folks at Cadbury.
Flake bars today are either made near Cairo in Egypt or in Ireland. The Cadbury factory is very close to my first Irish home in Coolock in Dublin.
One of the girls in my class at school in Dublin in the 1970's had a father who worked in the Cadbury chocolate factory. Everyone thought it was the coolest job anyone could have.
Shortages of 99 flakes for the summer of 2021 caused panic in Ireland and England at the thought of no chocolate in 99's this year. But the summer was salavaged by Cadbury, and the customary chocolate stick is still available.
When and Where Were 99 Ice Cream Cones Invented?
99 ice cream cones are a summer tradition all over the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Exactly when and where they were invented and how they got their name is not exactly known for sure. However, there are many theories out there.
Why these chocolate bars used for this famous ice cream were called 99 flakes is "lost in the mists of time" according to Cadburys.
The most commonly told story is that this ice cream treat was invented in the town of Portobello in Scotland.
An Italian man, named Stefano Arcari moved there after the First World War. His family legend tells how he invented this ice cream.
He opened an ice cream shop, in good Italian tradition and began to serve a vanilla creamy ice cream sometime around 1922. The ice cream industry was mainly run by ex-pat Italians in the good old days.
He did not have a small flake, so to decorate the ice creams he halved a Cadbury flake bar and stuck it into the ice cream on the cone.
Now his ice cream shop was located at number 99 on the High Street in Portobello, and legend has it that the number of the shop was given to the ice cream.
You can read all about this theory on the website Good To Know.
Now these ice creams grew in popularity and spread all over the British Isles including Ireland.
On the UK Cadbury website they discuss how in the 1920's they worked to create a smaller version of their chocolate flake to help Italian ice cream vendors serve it with their treats.
They also propose another theory for the naming of this ice cream cone.
Here's what they say....
"In the days of the monarchy in Italy the King has a specially chosen guard consisting of 99 men, and subsequently anything really special or first class was known as "99" - and that his how "99" Flake came by its name."
Another theory for the naming of this favorite summer treat is that the name was invented by the Italian immigrants who first started selling it in Britain.
Italian soft ice cream makers of County Durham wished to expand their product line. They decided to honour their WW1 troops, most of whom were born in the year 1899. These soldiers wore long feathers in their hats that somewhat resembled the chocolate flake. This troop of soldiers was known as 'i Ragazzi del 99', which translates to 'the Boys of ’99'. Whether this is fact or fiction, we may never know. The real reason may never be discovered.
In English this means ‘the Boys of ’99.’ The beloved ice cream may have been named after them, but we may never have proof of the true roots of its name.
Soft Creamy Ice Cream
Now you may think that soft serve ice cream is the same all over the world.
There are plenty of soft serve ice creams available all over the United States, and the people of New Jersey rave about their soft serve frozen custard. A trip to the Jersey shore is never complete without a frozen custard.
Now I have tasted way too many ice creams over the years. From frozen custard to frozen yogurt to plain old vanilla ice cream, I've sampled them all.
And the winner in my book, is a good old Irish 99 cone.
I'm totally biased I know. It's the tastes of our childhood we remember and 99's were part of my Irish childhood.
A trip to the beach wasn't complete until we held a delicious 99 cone in our hands and savored every precious lick of its creaminess.
Now the original inventor of soft serve ice cream is often said to be Mr. Carvel himself. But this American ice cream was invented in 1934 when Mr. Carvel's truck broke down and he had to sell his ice cream before it melted.
This date is after our 1922 story from Portobello in Scotland. But we don't know if Stefano Arcari used soft serve vanilla ice cream or gelato for his 99's.
Also, I don't believe Stefano would have had the amazing ice cream vending machines, that continuously whip and combline cream, milk and sugar to create this dreamy, smooth and frozen combination.
We may never know the exact origins of soft serve vanilla ice cream. but my bet is that it was first created stateside.
However the technology was shared around and the world, when made with Irish creamy milk, soft serve ice cream is taken to the next level of deliciousness altogether.
If you ever take a trip to Ireland in the warmer months, then take my advice. Treat yourself to a 99 ice cream.
Mr. Whippy Ice Cream Vans
When I was a young girl in Dublin in the 1970's ice cream vans often visited our road during the summer months.
You would hear their jingle a mile away.
They played it loudly so that children had plenty of warning the ice cream man was on the way. Enough time to go pester your mom for a few pence to buy a 99.
I can't remember exactly how much the original cost was back then. Was it 10 pence or 20 pence? If you know, please tell us in the comment section.
No matter what price they were, they were worth every penny.
Today they cost around 2 or 3 euro, and they're still worth every penny.
Do you have fond memories of 99 ice creams, or do you still enjoy them to this very day?
Or perhaps you preferred an ice cream sandwich - vanilla or raspberry ripple?
99's are the best ice cream in the world in the opinion of many an Irish person.
If you're planning a trip to Ireland, remember this ice cream's name, and don't forget to ask for a flake.
I hope you enjoy reading about Ireland's favorite foods, from chips and curry sauce to spice bags, egg salad sandwiches to rice krispie buns, and Tayto crisps to beans on toast. These truly are a taste of Ireland.
Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
A Taste of Ireland
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- What Is A Floury Potato?
- Brian McDermott's Donegal Table Cookbook Giveaway
- The Irish Cuppa Tea Plus A Giveaway From Dolmen County Retailers
Irish Cakes, Cookies And Desserts
- How To Make Delicious Festive Shortbread Star Cookies
- Why We Love A Shamrock Shake
- How To Make Strawberry Mousse From Scratch
- Old Fashioned Easter Biscuits
Sue
My sister and I made a two week visit to Ireland in 2019. One of the many foods I knew I wanted to have was a 99 ice cream. Not only did we have one but we enjoyed a second and guess what - both were our lunch for the day! Loved them and are fortunate we can buy Flake bars at our local Irish store.
Irish American Mom
Hi Sue - Lovely to hear you've enjoyed a 99 or two - a perfect lunch in my book. You're lucky to be able to find Flake bars close to you. The crumbly, yet creamy chocolate of a Flake, is simply divine.
Thanks for sharing your Irish ice cream story.
All the best,
Mairéad
T.M. Johnson
IAM, your post takes me back to my childhood when Dad would buy us all soft ice cream cones at Dairy Queen after swimming at the lake.
Names for ice cream "novelties." We made the acquaintance of two young men from Boston who would brag about their "Awful, Awfuls." What's an Awful, Awful," we asked them. Turns out the AA was a chocolate milkshake thusly named because it was "Awful big, and Awful good."
The "good humor man" we called him here in the neighborhood. As part of a cultural digression in my teaching days I discussed Scott Joplin and Ragtime and played "The Entertainer" for the classes. One student piped up and said, "Hey, that's the ice cream man's music." TMJ
Irish American Mom
Hi T.M. - Soft serve ice creams were always extra delicious after a day of swimming. Lovely to hear the tradition of a soft serve cone or a 99 after a happy carefree day at the lake was part of your childhood too. I can hear the name, "Awful, Awful" in my mind, and I'm trying to say it with a Boston accent. What a great name for a milkshake. I laughed when I read your tale of music appreciation inspired by the ice cream man. In Ireland our ice cream man's jingle was the Teddy Bears' Picnic. A strange choice when you think it might frighten little ones - "if you go down to the woods today, you better not go alone."
Thanks for adding to our ice cream discussion and for all your wonderful comments over the years.
All the best,
Mairéad
Terry M. Johnson
"It's lovely down in the woods today but better to stay at home...." And thanks back at you, IAM, for your always interesting, informative, gustatory, and creative posts.
Irish American Mom
Thanks, Terry.
Adrienne Quinn Barth
When I was a girl growing up my dad worked in Cadbury’s so we where so lucky to have an abundance of chocolate but the Cadbury’s flake was always my fave! The Sound of the ice cream van was the highlight of the week in the summer months and of course “the 99” with raspberry syrup dripping down the sides thanks for nostalgia from growing up in Dublin!
Irish American Mom
Hi Adrienne - I lived in Coolock as a young girl and I always wished my dad worked at the Cadbury factory. We probably grew up not far from one another. Flakes are so delicious, their texture is amazing, and then they just melt in your mouth for a little bit of chocolate heaven. Thanks for sharing your story and memories of 99's.
All the best,
Mairéad
Adrienne quinn barth
What. A small world!! I wonder if we ever met ! My self and my twin sharon went to holy child school in Whitehall I think your younger than myself I’m 55 now but I’ve so many memories of going to north side shopping center on the weekend and getting the 27 b into town! It’s lovely to share our memories thank you so much for all you do !
Irish American Mom
Hi Adrienne - I went to Saint Brigid's in Killester until 4th class, and then moved to Raheny. I too am 55 (born in 1965) - definitely a small world. We probably passed one another in Northside shopping center, or met on the 27B. We used to get the bus on Ardlea Road to head into town. Thanks for reading my ramblings. I really appreciate your support.
All the best,
Mairéad
Patricia Waellner
I love 99’s!!! I remember having one and then “paddling”” in the sea!!
Irish American Mom
Hi Patricia - I'm so glad this post brought back warm memories of summer days, paddling in the sea, and enjoying a delicious 99. Thanks for reading my ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sean
Having visited Ireland in February, which isn't exactly ice cream weather, I unfortunately missed the 99 ice cream cone altogether. However, I did discover what, for me, might be the perfect ice cream of all time: If you are ever in Dingle Town, be sure to visit Murphy's Ice Cream shop and try the Brown Bread Ice Cream. Two of my favorite things, combined into one delicious treat!
Irish American Mom
Hi Sean - Sorry to hear you missed out on Ireland's summertime favorite, the 99 cone. I've heard Murphy's Ice Cream in Dingle is the very best. I love the sound of their Brown Bread Ice Cream. I'll be sure to try it out if I ever make it to Dingle. Thanks for stopping by. Lovely to hear you got to visit Ireland this year.
All the best,
Mairéad