“I’ve been a wild rover for many a year and I’ve spent all my money on whiskey and beer” – The Pogues. Northern Ireland is my home country and it has some hidden gems for the thirsty traveller. Not only does it boast Ireland’s Highest Pub (The Ponderosa on the Glenshane Pass) and Ireland’s Oldest…
Read More“Just when I thought our chance had passed. You go and save the best for last” – Vanessa Williams. August 2023 saw a return to the Port Hat-trick. This meant Portballintrae, Portrush and Portstewart. After catching crabs in rockpools at Portballintrae and riding the Ghost Train at Barry’s (Curry’s) in Portrush, I completed the Port…
Read More“And I’ve been riding on a ghost train, where the cars, they scream and slam and I don’t know where I’ll be tonight but I’d always tell you where I am” – Mark Knopfler. On my August 2023 return to Northern Ireland, I ticked off some of my childhood memories, 40 years later, to reminisce…
Read More“I don’t know what tune that the orchestra played, but it went by me sickly and sentimental ” – Neil Finn. It was yet another sentimental return to Portballintrae for me in August 2023. This calm Northern Irish seaside resort was a common place for my early travel days. With my family, we would spend…
Read MoreHave you ever thought about visiting Northern Ireland? The country is undoubtedly full of amazingly beautiful sites, it’s my cherished home land and always comes number one on my backpacking journeys. The scenery is amazing, the people are nice, and the country is very safe. If you’re interested in traveling to the country, you will…
Read MoreOn my recent adventure backpacking in Northern Ireland I decided to hit up a few new spots and revisit some old ones so I can write about them in an up to date way and ensure that more of you get to see the beauty of Northern Ireland. One pretty village I had been to…
Read MoreNorthern Ireland is brimming with undiscovered towns like Coleraine. The locals know them. Travellers sadly pass in and out too quickly to get a grasp of what they offer. Ignore the fact that Coleraine is simply a transport hub for the tourist sights on the North Coast, give the town at least a day and…
Read MoreI’m pretty busy at the moment trying to go through all my unwritten posts, but it’s still nice to reflect on a top 12 travel moments of the year – something I did a similar post on in 2012 and 2013. This year I started off in Iraq on New Year’s Day and I have…
Read MoreMy 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 MoreFor 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