Backpacking in New Zealand: An Intervention of Fate on my Trip to Belfast, South Island

Belfast or Beal Fierste, is obviously the capital city of my home country of Northern Ireland. That home will always be the original Belfast – where the name began, just like New York is really just York with skyscrapers. So around the world there have been scattered a few “Bangors” and “Belfasts”, and spontaneously I Read more about Backpacking in New Zealand: An Intervention of Fate on my Trip to Belfast, South Island[…]

Albania to America (With Belfast In Between) – New Book By Shaun Schofield

The first thing to say here is obviously if you like Northern Irish football then this is a must buy! Shaun Schofield is a crazy football fan, a seasoned traveller, a man with endless passion for life, and most admirably of all: he is a very nice person. I had heard about Shaun Schofield many Read more about Albania to America (With Belfast In Between) – New Book By Shaun Schofield[…]

Australia v Ireland (Lansdowne Cup)- Rugby Union in Brisbane, June 2010

It must be stressed than generally in life: 1. I HATE rugby 2. I HATE anything associated with bringing the two countries in Ireland together However over the years I have gotten into rugby a lot more mainly due to the Ulster rugby team winning the European Cup in 1999, but also my time here Read more about Australia v Ireland (Lansdowne Cup)- Rugby Union in Brisbane, June 2010[…]

International Cup of Nations and Meeting Sydney NISC

[quote name=’Dervock’ post=’672300′ date=’Sep 5 2010, 11:47 AM’]Nice to see I was missed! :whistling:[/quote] I honestly thought “Dervock” was a piss take name as in an Ulster accent would be like saying “who dervock are ye?” but learnt the day that its actually a place in Northern Ireland!! Anyway as a NISC nomad I decided Read more about International Cup of Nations and Meeting Sydney NISC[…]

Northern Ireland 1-1 Canada – April 1999

I only started taking a camera to Northern Ireland matches at the end of the 1990s. It’s amazing how the world has changed over the years, in that now almost everyone at the match will have a mobile phone/camera. These are the only two photos I took at the Canada match back in 1999. My Read more about Northern Ireland 1-1 Canada – April 1999[…]

Northern Ireland flag

BEING NORTHERN IRISH: an identity crisis??

Politics aside…being from Northern Ireland has often led to confusion over the years. I find most people still use the word Ireland to describe as my country, Ireland isn’t in fact a country, but is an island consisting of two countries, Northern Ireland (of six counties, and of British occupation but whose residents are free Read more about BEING NORTHERN IRISH: an identity crisis??[…]

Yugoslavia 4-1 Northern Ireland (European Championship Qualifier, 1991)

I remember coming home from school to watch this one live, I think it was on BBC2 Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland had a really really decent side at the time (well in my opinion…). We boasted some World Cup stars such as Nigel Worthington, Alan McDonald, Colin Clarke and Mal Donaghy (who had a very Read more about Yugoslavia 4-1 Northern Ireland (European Championship Qualifier, 1991)[…]

Small world? You bet! Tayto Van at Glenorchy!

Imagine the surprise and disbelief of me driving through Hobart in Tasmania in May 2010 and seeing a van with the word “Tayto” on it!!! The Northern Irish crisp! And next to the sticker on this white van was another sticker with “Norn Iron” on it. I thought for once in life my eyes were Read more about Small world? You bet! Tayto Van at Glenorchy![…]