Gender inequality in housework divisions is persistent. This study examined early-emerging patterns in gender roles via children's gendered housework time in the Irish context using time-use diary and questionnaire data, controlling for key demographic variables. This study utilized longitudinal "Growing up in Ireland" data, comparing the same children's behaviour at age 9 and 13. Participants were a nationally representative, weighted sample of school going children living in Ireland, including 4,135 girls, 3,831 boys and their caregivers. The results highlight that inequalities in domestic chores occur at nine and are even greater at 13: girls do more housework and children tend to do "gender typical" chores. Consequences are discussed in relation to gender inequality and policy implications.HighlightsThis is a longitudinal study that examined differences in boys' and girls' involvement with household activities in the Irish context. This study uses a large, nationally representative sample of children across two time points and uses two different types of measures: time use diary data and questionnaires to assess involvement with household tasks. The focus on an Irish context.The results highlight that inequalities in domestic chores occur at nine and are even greater at 13: girls do more housework and children tend to do "gender typical" chores.These findings highlight that Irish children are developing in a society characterised by gendered childhood housework traditions. These findings highlight the need for policy attempting to rebalance gender equality in domestic labour distributions (and the labour market) to acknowledge that domestic labour inequalities are beginning in childhood.