Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Guided Tour of George Best’s Childhood Home in Burren Way, The Cregagh, Belfast

Posted on January 5, 2020May 25, 2022 by Jonny Blair

“Maradona good. Pele better. George Best” – A Northern Ireland flag’s message at George Best’s funeral. Local heroes are real. George Best is a superhero to me. To many of my friends. To many Northern Irish people. To many AFC Bournemouth fans. Even Manchester United fans like him. Hold on – even Leeds United fans Read more about Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Guided Tour of George Best’s Childhood Home in Burren Way, The Cregagh, Belfast[…]

Visiting The Home of the Penalty Kick: Milford, County Armagh, Northern Ireland and William McCrums Legacy

Visiting The Home of the Penalty Kick: Milford, County Armagh, Northern Ireland – William McCrum’s Legacy

Posted on January 4, 2020January 4, 2020 by Jonny Blair

“Pelanty, ref!”- football players and supporters. I grew up in Northern Ireland and am a football geek. My Dad played football, I played football, my friends played football and my brothers played football. That quadruple also watch football week in, week out. A few years back I cracked the 501 not out for attendance at Read more about Visiting The Home of the Penalty Kick: Milford, County Armagh, Northern Ireland – William McCrum’s Legacy[…]

Get Our Northern Ireland🔴✋️☘️ flag (Ulster Banner) As An Emoticon

Posted on June 23, 2019June 12, 2024 by Jonny Blair

As a Northern Irish nationalist, I am ashamed, dismayed, confused and angered by the fact that my country’s flag is not represented as an Emoticon. And no, I don’t mean the BRITISH Union Flag, or the IRISH tricolour or an IRISH Shamrock, I mean a specific Northern Ireland flag. None of the previous mentioned hat-trick Read more about Get Our Northern Ireland🔴✋️☘️ flag (Ulster Banner) As An Emoticon[…]

Sunday’s Inspiration: Why Did I Ever Ever Travel?

Posted on December 9, 2018June 1, 2022 by Jonny Blair

“Where do you go? Buttoned in your favourite coat, stepping out to a different world. And you might be home late.”- Ocean Colour Scene. Aged 17 I flicked through the CDs in His Master’s Voice record shop in Belfast city, the Northern Irish passion-drenched capital. Imagine the thrill of it all. Life was amazing. I Read more about Sunday’s Inspiration: Why Did I Ever Ever Travel?[…]

The Night I Didnt Sh@g Vicky Everitt in Belfast City, Northern Ireland

Five Northern Irish Towns That Don’t Exist But Should

Posted on September 9, 2018 by Jonny Blair

Growing up in Northern Ireland during what many globalites know as ‘the troubles’ was actually a joyous and wonderful time. There was comedy in tragedy and we often laughed within ourselves at the sheer randomic banter within the glorious six counties. We have loads of real towns. People actually live there. They work, eat, sleep, Read more about Five Northern Irish Towns That Don’t Exist But Should[…]

Backpacking in Narnia: Crossing From Belfast, Northern Ireland into This Magical Land

Posted on August 6, 2017February 13, 2019 by Jonny Blair

The latest wacaday country adventure for my backpack was a return to the land of Narnia, a real country for sure and another interesting one, on what has now ridiculously become a 151 country tour of planet earth on route to 200 countries. While there might be 626 countries to visit (and nobody will ever Read more about Backpacking in Narnia: Crossing From Belfast, Northern Ireland into This Magical Land[…]

Our Family Dog: Rocky and His New Pure Dog Food, Perfect for Picky and Sensitive Dogs

Posted on July 28, 2017July 31, 2017 by Jonny Blair

Sometimes, I need to take a break from travel completely and I guess I generally do that on my trips home to Northern Ireland, despite my 2014 Northern Ireland tour. When I return to my sensational Northern Irish homeland, one star of my show was never given much publicity on here – my family’s dog Read more about Our Family Dog: Rocky and His New Pure Dog Food, Perfect for Picky and Sensitive Dogs[…]

Studying Saturdays: “Backpacking Centurion” In The Grammarian, Bangor, Northern Ireland

Posted on September 17, 2016January 22, 2022 by Jonny Blair

“Damn my education, I can’t find the words to say with all the things caught in my mind” – Noel Gallagher. It is a line taken from the Oasis song “Don’t Go Away” which was released the same year I left Bangor Grammar School, 1997. I wrote very recently how it just passed the 25 Read more about Studying Saturdays: “Backpacking Centurion” In The Grammarian, Bangor, Northern Ireland[…]