Backpacking In Northern Ireland: Visiting The UK's Two Closest Separate Football Clubs - Bangor FC and Bangor Amateurs FC

Backpacking In Northern Ireland: Visiting The UK’s Two Closest Separate Football Stadiums

“The day we went to Bangor” – Fiddler’s Dram. Some people might glorify the fact that Notts County FC and Nottingham Forest FC in England are separated by a river – the Trent. Other people might glorify the fact that Dundee FC and Dundee United FC are separated by a road – Tannadice Street. And Read more about Backpacking In Northern Ireland: Visiting The UK’s Two Closest Separate Football Stadiums[…]

Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near Newtownards

Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near Newtownards

In 1980 I was born in the Northern Irish town of Newtownards. It’s a place with a lot of important links in my life. I was born there. I passed my driving test there. I studied there. I got into university by doing a course there. Despite all of that, I grew up in the Read more about Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near Newtownards[…]

15 Bars With Interesting Quirky Records I Was In

“Spend your nightlife table hopping, trying to keep your bag of bones in trim” – Noel Gallagher. When travel used to be a thing, I loved the thrill of it all. I loved the crazy stuff, I needed even the sorrow amidst all that. The unrecognised countries, the secrets, the wacaday museums, the sadness at Read more about 15 Bars With Interesting Quirky Records I Was In[…]

#gawa #daretodream Living Out A Childhood Dream Supporting Northern Ireland: My Plans for June 2016

“Michael O’Neill’s Green and White army” – Northern Ireland football fans. Now that June 2016 has arrived, it feels crazy that this month, I am finally living out a childhood dream. Since my early days growing up in Bangor, Northern Ireland I only had one dream in life. To watch the Northern Ireland international football Read more about #gawa #daretodream Living Out A Childhood Dream Supporting Northern Ireland: My Plans for June 2016[…]

Sunday's Inspiration: The Street I Grew Up on, 35 Years Later

Sunday’s Inspiration: The Street I Grew Up on, 35 Years Later

“Take me back to the town where I was born, because I’m tired of being a stranger and I’m miles from home. We can hide by a lonely windowpane. We can walk the streets of my life while they still remain.” – Noel Gallagher. We have all had a ridiculously crazy journey on this planet. When we were Read more about Sunday’s Inspiration: The Street I Grew Up on, 35 Years Later[…]

Working Wednesdays: Being Part of a Focus Group in Northern Ireland

Working Wednesdays: Being Part of a Focus Group in Northern Ireland

If you’ve followed the blog from the early days, you’ll know I covered my job history on here as I did it, especially the farming and bar work. Yet the Working Wednesdays feature still has at least 50 jobs I’ve done and not yet written about, so in an attempt to eventually get this blog Read more about Working Wednesdays: Being Part of a Focus Group in Northern Ireland[…]

Thirsty Thursdays: Top 5 Coffee Shops in North Down, Northern Ireland

Thirsty Thursdays comes from North Down in Northern Ireland today, so it does. Northern Ireland punches above its weight time and time again. And I mean in the metaphorical sense, not just in boxing (though the likes of McGuigan and Frampton certainly justify the phrase). A country housing 1.6 million people, boasting some of the Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Top 5 Coffee Shops in North Down, Northern Ireland[…]

Backpacking in Podjistan: Top 6 Sights in Four Gables

The Peoples Republic of Podjistan is a tiny country, landlocked within Northern Ireland. My tour to this remote zone was an “access all areas” complete guide to this wacky country that is often forgotten and unknown in the tourism circles. In fact, I was the country’s first and last backpacker for the genuine purpose of Read more about Backpacking in Podjistan: Top 6 Sights in Four Gables[…]