Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Exploring Portbraddon and Visiting Ireland’s Smallest Church

Posted on November 1, 2014October 24, 2014 by Jonny Blair

My recent adventures backpacking in Northern Ireland have surprised and inspired me more than I could have believed. While staying at the magnificent Whitepark Bay Hostel (which overlooks Whitepark beach and is a few miles from the village of Ballintoy), I took the walk west from the beach, working my way over the sand and Read more about Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Exploring Portbraddon and Visiting Ireland’s Smallest Church[…]

Friday’s Featured Food: Bushmills Soda in the Copper Kettle, Bushmills, Northern Ireland

Posted on October 31, 2014October 30, 2014 by Jonny Blair

For some reason I haven’t written too much about Northern Irish food on here before despite the fact I love it. Yes there was the cheap Ulster Fry in Holywood post from 2008 and the Pastie Supper in Bangor article, but my recent tour took me to Northern Ireland’s north coast and the town of Bushmills. Read more about Friday’s Featured Food: Bushmills Soda in the Copper Kettle, Bushmills, Northern Ireland[…]

Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Staying in the Bushmills Hostel, North Coast

Posted on October 22, 2014October 21, 2014 by Jonny Blair

My backpacking in Northern Ireland adventures continued as I toured the North Coast of my home country on what is my longest stint in Europe for over 5 years. After staying in the Whitepark Bay Hostel near Ballintoy, I headed on a bus back to Bushmills to spend a night here. I chose the only Read more about Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Staying in the Bushmills Hostel, North Coast[…]

30 Year Reunion: School Tour of Kilmaine Primary School, Bangor, Northern Ireland

Posted on October 21, 2014October 21, 2014 by Jonny Blair

A calm Northern Irish wind reared its obvious head as I made the walk down to school. I hadn’t done my homework, my handwriting left a lot to be desired but I was on time, I had a grey shirt and school tie on and I was buzzing. I wasn’t a pupil any more however. Read more about 30 Year Reunion: School Tour of Kilmaine Primary School, Bangor, Northern Ireland[…]

Staying in the World Famous Europa Hotel in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Posted on October 19, 2014April 13, 2024 by Jonny Blair

On my trip back to my homeland, backpacking in Northern Ireland in 2014, I lived out some childhood dreams as well as aiming to inspire everyone out there to visit Belfast and Northern Ireland. In my eyes, Belfast is the best city in “the UK” and is in the top 10 cities in the world. Read more about Staying in the World Famous Europa Hotel in Belfast, Northern Ireland[…]

Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Staying at Whitepark Bay Hostel in Ballintoy, North Antrim Coast

Posted on October 16, 2014October 16, 2014 by Jonny Blair

Well, my friends it was an emotional and busy return to my home country of Northern Ireland recently and as well as catching up with friends or family, I found myself doing a bit of work and even some backpacking through my own country! I played the tourist this time and loved it, so there Read more about Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Staying at Whitepark Bay Hostel in Ballintoy, North Antrim Coast[…]

Everything You Should Know About The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Backpacking in Northern Ireland, October 2014

Posted on October 13, 2014October 13, 2014 by Jonny Blair

“Someday we’ll return here. When the Belfast Child sings again.” – Simple Minds How can you go backpacking in your home country? Is it even possible? You know the towns, you know the roads, you know the local lingo, you can talk your way out of a political argument. But then…I’ve been away a while. Read more about Backpacking in Northern Ireland, October 2014[…]

Doing the Maradona at the Hand of God end! Mexico City.

Hand of God and Mexico 86 Memories: Visiting Estadio Azteca, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico

Posted on August 5, 2014August 4, 2014 by Jonny Blair

Here goes. This is a big one. A big one for me personally. Every single time I hear the mention of Maradona, Norman Whiteside, Jose Batista, Joel Bats etc. I get inspired. The 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico were my first major childhood memory. Northern Ireland qualified. We punched well above our weight, defying Read more about Hand of God and Mexico 86 Memories: Visiting Estadio Azteca, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico[…]