The Best Crisps in The World: Touring Tayto Castle in Tandragee, Northern Ireland

This post requires a “wee bit” of an introduction for those not aware of Tayto. It’s a review of my tour of the Tayto crisps factory in Tandragee, Northern Ireland. First of all, I come from Northern Ireland – I grew up in Bangor and one of the joys of childhood was “getting tore intill Read more about The Best Crisps in The World: Touring Tayto Castle in Tandragee, Northern Ireland[…]

Top 12 Travel Highlights of 2014

I’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 more about Top 12 Travel Highlights of 2014[…]

30 Year Reunion: Dinner with P1Preston in Donegans, Bangor, Northern Ireland

It was a fairly emotional return to Northern Ireland for me recently – my longest stay in my home country in over 11 years which is crazy to think about it. I had lined up some really cool stuff to do when I was back, and after touring the north coast, (including Portbraddon) watching Northern Read more about 30 Year Reunion: Dinner with P1Preston in Donegans, Bangor, Northern Ireland[…]

jordan kennedy belfast

Sunday’s Inspiration: A Tribute to Jordan Kennedy

“Rhythm is a dancer, it’s a soul’s companion, you can feel it everywhere” – Snap, 1992 The above lyric is from the song that was number one in the music charts the day Jordan Kennedy was born. I remember the song well from my teens, and often danced to it myself. Now, I will never Read more about Sunday’s Inspiration: A Tribute to Jordan Kennedy[…]

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

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[…]

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

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

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

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[…]