Mainland Brits, how many of you have been to N Ireland?
Discussion
citizensm1th said:
my time in NI left me with a physical reaction to the northern irish accent
There's more than one NI accent. None of them are fantastic, admittedly, but 10 or 15 miles can make a difference.Eric Mc said:
I visited on a school trip in 1967 - and was impressed as an eight year old that the policemen carried guns.
They still do! As far as I know Northern Ireland has the only police force in the UK which is always tooled up.Levin said:
citizensm1th said:
my time in NI left me with a physical reaction to the northern irish accent
There's more than one NI accent. None of them are fantastic, admittedly, but 10 or 15 miles can make a difference..
Yes i've been, Google 'Belfast taxi tours' or Shankhill Rd for pics. Eerie, but interesting.
I went with a girl I was going out with who had worked there as a store manager, she (on behalf of the store) had been threatened by one of the groups wanting protection money. The company said no, everyday there was a bloke in the carpark watching her arrive and leave.
I went with a girl I was going out with who had worked there as a store manager, she (on behalf of the store) had been threatened by one of the groups wanting protection money. The company said no, everyday there was a bloke in the carpark watching her arrive and leave.
Went twice a month for 2 days each time in the name of business during the height of the troubles. Just missed a bomb explosion by a few minutes and could hear regular gunfire in Belfast at night. There was a great deal of humour around though and I never felt intimidated at all.
I travelled all over the North and found it to be a diverse and welcoming place.
I travelled all over the North and found it to be a diverse and welcoming place.
Stayed in Fanad, Donegal,(Eire) last summer which is peaceful and beautiful, did a day's road trip to The Giant's Causeway via Londonderry (or LondonDerry, as per many of the graffiti'd road signs), it was great.
My nephew was impressed with the Causeway, not because it's a Unesco World Heritage Site, but because he caught a really rare Pokémon there!!
My nephew was impressed with the Causeway, not because it's a Unesco World Heritage Site, but because he caught a really rare Pokémon there!!
Yep, lived there for 9 years in ballycastle. I worked at portstewart gold club on all courses including the one next to the nw200 pits. I really enjoyed that time of year watching the set up and spending my lunch breaks stood beside the dynojet van hearing all manner of bikes getting raped on the rollers.
The north coast is a nice enough place but the rest of it is easily forgettable. I have no desire to go back really. Other than a trip to the NW200 possibly.
The north coast is a nice enough place but the rest of it is easily forgettable. I have no desire to go back really. Other than a trip to the NW200 possibly.
Levin said:
As far as I know Northern Ireland has the only police force in the UK which is always tooled up.
Not strictly true, but the other one (that I'm aware of) has a much more parochial remit! since I'm posting: been twice but as only for work only a couple of days each time and very much: fly in... work; hotel (or overnight accommodation); work (repeat if necessary); fly out. So saw nothing beyond that other than the Titanic cranes as the last time was Belfast docks area.
Been about 6 times over 30 years, generally Belfast and Londonderry/Derry. Parts of Belfast are now a bit better than before, but it's still a worrying place once you are in the more suburban areas. Derry was a depressing place and I couldn't take more than 2 visits - with no desire to return.
The issues involving religion are ever-present and unlikely to change in my lifetime. It makes for a very poor impression of the whole of N.I even though the more rural areas can be very scenic and enjoyable.
The issues involving religion are ever-present and unlikely to change in my lifetime. It makes for a very poor impression of the whole of N.I even though the more rural areas can be very scenic and enjoyable.
I've been to the Republic two or three times. Kerry is glorious, but I thought Dublin is run like an Irish theme park for the benefit of tourists. Never been to the North myself, but my wife did occasionally for work.
Once the Belfast taxi driver noticed her looking at the murals that cover the end walls of terraces, and explained they were all to do with demarcation of Catholic and Protestant areas. "Well, that leaves me out," said the wife, "I'm a Buddhist."
He replied, "Ah, but are you a Catholic or a Protestant Buddhist?"
Once the Belfast taxi driver noticed her looking at the murals that cover the end walls of terraces, and explained they were all to do with demarcation of Catholic and Protestant areas. "Well, that leaves me out," said the wife, "I'm a Buddhist."
He replied, "Ah, but are you a Catholic or a Protestant Buddhist?"
February 27th 1985, N Ireland v England World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park. The sale of tickets to England fans was banned I think and my friend and I managed to pick up a couple from someone offering to sell them on a local radio programme. Stood in the Kop with all the N Irish fans. It was non-stop violence with fans fighting among themselves and trying to goad the police into storming the terrace to break it up, bottles flying everywhere. Never been so happy to get out of a stadium unscathed.
As for Belfast itself I remember going to a pub near the Europa Hotel (most bombed hotel in the world I think) and also staying in a little place near the botanic gardens and blagging our way into the student union at the University after the game. A memorable 24 hours I'll say that. Oh, and England won 1-0.
As for Belfast itself I remember going to a pub near the Europa Hotel (most bombed hotel in the world I think) and also staying in a little place near the botanic gardens and blagging our way into the student union at the University after the game. A memorable 24 hours I'll say that. Oh, and England won 1-0.
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