Old or knowledgeable people come here =]?

Question

What was Ireland like for a teenager in the late 30s/early 40s (not in Dublin). Are their any nostalgia items I could buy for said person?

Answer 1

You could buy them the book/video of Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt.

Answer 2

I'm not old enough to remember those times, but some items of nostalgia you sometimes come across in antique shops are the old enamelled or framed advertisements that were on display in shops long ago.  

In Mayo, the old local newspapers are on microfilm in the library (Castlebar and Westport, perhaps other libraries also) and it would be possible to have a page printed out and framed.  If the person you are buying for is from a different county, try the main library there, for that county's local paper.

Or how about an old ten-shilling or pound note?  Or even the old penny, with the hen and chicks on it?  Very much  nostalgia items now.  Try ebay.