Good Morning from Northern Ireland. I have some good news for you all. My first novel, ‘The Kirkwood Scott Chronicles: Skelly’s Square,’ is free to download from Amazon this weekend. So, if you’ve always meant to read it now is the perfect time to pick up a copy. Just visit your local Amazon page andContinue reading “Good News For The Weekend”
Tag Archives: Northern Ireland
How Hot Is It Where You Are?
Phew, what a scorcher. We’ve been experiencing a heatwave in Northern Ireland this last week, with the temperature reaching 31.4 degrees celsius. That’s the highest figure ever recorded in our wee country. Shops have been selling out of fans and sun cream while ice cream sales are going through the roof. These amateurs who onlyContinue reading “How Hot Is It Where You Are?”
Four Seasons In One Day
I don’t know about where you live, but people in Northern Ireland love to talk about the weather. Or rather, complain about the weather. Whenever there is a lull in the conversation, you always have the failsafe option of looking out the window and commenting on the prevailing conditions. There’s also so much to discussContinue reading “Four Seasons In One Day”
Good Morning From Northern Ireland
Good Morning from Northern Ireland. I hope everyone is well. I’ve been neglecting my blogging duties of late as a new position at work is taking up most of my spare time. It’s an exciting opportunity and I’m relishing the challenge. It’s allowing me to do what I enjoy the most…write. I’d like to thinkContinue reading “Good Morning From Northern Ireland”
Nil Points
I’m not a fan of the Eurovision Song Contest. I know many are crazy about it. It’s the highlight of their year, akin to Christmas Day. House parties are held, crazy costumes are created, and insane drinking games invented as the country grinds to a standstill to watch the annual event. Plus it’s presented byContinue reading “Nil Points”
One Step At A Time
Normality inches ever closer in Northern Ireland with the continued easing of lockdown restrictions. The signs are positive. Infection rates remain low and, perhaps more importantly, hospitalisations and deaths are a fraction of what they were several months ago. It’s a well-worn cliche but there does appear to be light at the end of theContinue reading “One Step At A Time”
Happy Birthday Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland turns 100 today. On 03 May 2021 it legally came into being, ending years of civil war when it separated from the rest of the island of Ireland. The six counties of Fermanagh, Armagh, Tyrone, Londonderry, Antrim and Down broke away from the other twenty-six to become part of a United Kingdom alongContinue reading “Happy Birthday Northern Ireland”
One Million Jabs
Northern Ireland passed a historic milestone yesterday when it was announced over 1 million coronavirus vaccinations have now been administered. That includes over 800,000 first jabs meaning over 50% of the adult population have now received protection. Not bad, considering the first vaccination was given only four months ago. The rollout has been an unprecedentedContinue reading “One Million Jabs”
Welcome To My Country
More rioting in Belfast last night, probably the worst to date. Loyalist youths hijacked and burnt a bus while police were attacked with petrol bombs and other missiles. Again, the majority of the rioters were youths while the ringleaders lurked in the shadows. The violence is being orchestrated by loyalist paramilitaries intent on creating socialContinue reading “Welcome To My Country”
Let Them Eat Cake
I woke up hopeful this morning as our power-sharing executive had announced some weeks ago that today they would release a ‘Covid Recovery Plan,’ outlining a gradual easing of restrictions and return to normalised society. Hopeful but not confident, as our political leaders have repeatedly let the country down with previous promises and assurances. And,Continue reading “Let Them Eat Cake”
From Now On I’m A European
If you meet someone from Northern Ireland and ask where they come from be prepared for a range of answers depending on their political, cultural and religious background. They could be Irish, British, Northern Irish, from Ulster or even the Occupied Six Counties. It’s a bit of a minefield and kind of epitomises why thereContinue reading “From Now On I’m A European”
Author Interview – Lauren Robinson
Today I’m starting a weekly post highlighting authors I’ve met and read via Twitter’s #writingcommunity. I’ve discovered some great people and incredibly talented writers. I’ll initially focus on authors from the wonderful island of Ireland and first up is Derry’s Lauren Robinson, whose exceptional World War Two debut, ‘The Boy Who Saw In Colours’ wasContinue reading “Author Interview – Lauren Robinson”
The 12 Blogs Of Christmas #10
As this Christmas blogging series glides (limps) to an end I thought I’d be a little selfish when it came to today’s suggested topic – Christmas presents. I’ve always been somewhat awkward promoting my own work so one of my New Year resolutions has been to be a little braver when it comes to stickingContinue reading “The 12 Blogs Of Christmas #10”
The 12 Blogs Of Christmas #1
Last year I took my team out for breakfast during our final week in the office to thank them for all their efforts throughout the year. Because I’m a thoughtful, caring boss. Plus they would have most likely lynched me if I hadn’t. The majority of us plumped for a traditional Ulster fry and IContinue reading “The 12 Blogs Of Christmas #1”
Don’t Send In The Clowns
Our power-sharing executive, which have hardly covered themselves in glory in recent weeks, plunged to new depths last night when they announced further tighter restrictions for Northern Ireland, starting for two weeks on 27 November. Despite having voted against lesser restrictions a week ago when the seven day rolling average of infections was notably higherContinue reading “Don’t Send In The Clowns”
Causeway Coast Road Trip
We took a drive along the Causeway Coastal route today all the way to Portrush. Fionnuala took around a zillion photographs and here are some of them. Special guest appearances from Hannah, Rebecca & Charlie the border terrier. I hope they capture the beauty of Northern Ireland, this wee country we call home. Hope youContinue reading “Causeway Coast Road Trip”
Happy/Unhappy 12th July
Good Morning from Northern Ireland. Happy 12th July. Or Unhappy 12th July. You see, it depends on what part of the community you originate from in this fair land that I call home. Anyway, it’s a big deal whatever way you look at it. For this day 330 years ago the Protestant army of KingContinue reading “Happy/Unhappy 12th July”
Coronavirus – Northern Ireland #17
Yesterday evening we sat outside in the back garden as a family. It’s rare to get the five of us in the one room at the same time but we listened to some music, played by DJ Fionnuala, before retiring inside when it started to get dark and chilly. Before that, it had been anotherContinue reading “Coronavirus – Northern Ireland #17”
Coronavirus – Northern Ireland #15
We woke up to another bright, sunny day. The best weather of the year and the whole nation is on lockdown. Typical. Even better weather is predicted for the Easter weekend and the government are warning people of the need to stay at home in order to save lives. Over 900 people died in theContinue reading “Coronavirus – Northern Ireland #15”
Coronavirus – Northern Ireland #14
The U.K. death total passed 6000 yesterday, an increase of over 800, which showed how premature the calls of some had been for a relaxation of the lockdown rules. There is a light at the end of the tunnel but this is a very long tunnel. There were three deaths in Northern Ireland, bringing ourContinue reading “Coronavirus – Northern Ireland #14”
Coronavirus – Northern Ireland #11
The forecast for the weekend remains good but the furthest we are going is our back garden. We are digging in for the long haul. Adam and I are power hosing the yard today, Rebecca is on weeding duties and tomorrow we are fence and furniture painting. The pandemic does give you the time toContinue reading “Coronavirus – Northern Ireland #11”
Coronavirus – Northern Ireland #2
So, we are a household in self-isolation. Hannah had a cough and high temperature last week and we were advised to self isolate her for seven days. Following that, the government advice changed to if any of your family displayed symptoms then the whole household had to go into self-isolation for two weeks. Yesterday FionnualaContinue reading “Coronavirus – Northern Ireland #2”
Stepping Off The Beaten Path
Just a few photos from a recent wander I took down one of the many back alleys that criss cross Belfast city centre. They are full of quirky little pubs, betting shops and characters. It’s amazing the adventures you can have when you stray off the less traveled road. When was the last time youContinue reading “Stepping Off The Beaten Path”
Stained Glass Belfast
My running blogs are entirely unremarkable as, let’s face it, who wants to read about a middle aged man trudging around the byways and highways of Northern Ireland in gaudy fluorescent clothing? So I thought I’d spice up my lunchtime run today by capturing some of the spectacular Game of Thrones stained glass art whichContinue reading “Stained Glass Belfast”
Memories Of Portrush
Northern Ireland has gone golf crazy as the Royal Portrush course is currently hosting the 148th British Open. The world’s top golfers have descended upon the seaside resort to do battle for the famous Claret Jug. Tiger Woods, Phil Michelson and our very own Rory McIlroy are vying for sporting glory and the opportunity toContinue reading “Memories Of Portrush”
What Do You Wear During A Heatwave?
Northern Ireland is on the verge of mass hysteria. Now don’t be worrying. Aliens have not landed. Godzilla is not lumbering out of Belfast Lough, bearing down upon a helpless city. And, least likely of all, our local politicians have not set aside their innumerable differences and agreed on something. No, it’s much more seriousContinue reading “What Do You Wear During A Heatwave?”
The Giants Causeway
Today was spent acting as tour guide for some American visitors to Northern Ireland. We took them along the Causeway Coastal Route which shows off the beautiful scenery of Northern Ireland’s North Coast. The weather was equally spectacular as well with temperature hitting 26 degrees celsius. I only wear shorts when I run though soContinue reading “The Giants Causeway”
Northern Ireland – A Potted History
Well that was an exciting St. Patrick’s Day. Ireland defeated England 24-15 to win the Six Nations Rugby Championship and the Grand Slam in the process. This is a massive deal over here as the country is rugby mad. And it’s always satisfying to beat the English at anything. Ireland are now ranked second inContinue reading “Northern Ireland – A Potted History”
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