I’ve spent some time over there as my mother was a WW2 war bride from Fermanagh. Love the place and the people. Nothing like the smell of a coal fire and a bowl of Condor. As my grandfather would say: “ that’ll do rightly”
Anyone from Northern Ireland/North of Ireland?
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I’m just across the water in Galloway. I can see the Ulster coast from my front door. The influence of Northern Ireland is keenly felt here; the land was harvested by Irish labour for generations. Earlier in my life I spent a lot of time working there, and in the Republic. Made many good friends. When happier times return I’ve resolved to get the ferry over for a week or two to do some exploring and renew old acquaintances. Beautiful part of the world.
Two visits, once in 2000 driving from Shannon, Sligo, New Grange, Dublin for a few days, various counties. We got five different weathers every day, from fog that blocked the windows to bright sun to rain. People don't realize the Gulf Stream makes palm trees grow in Ireland. I saw Trinity College and the Books of Kell. I liked it so well, I went back and visited only Dublin for another week in maybe 2004.
I went to college in Coleraine (county Derry). One of the best years of my life!
My grandfather wasn’t into pipes as a hobby nor were any of his friends. You went to the newsagent to get the paper, maybe a Beano for the wee ones, and a plug of Condor. I saw Mick Mcquaid a few times but it was mostly Condor.
I remember taking that ferry from Stranraer to Larne in a terrible storm. The returning Irish fortified themselves in various pubs before we left. A few miles out and the sick was flowing from wall to wall. I never get seasick but that was too much so I went out on deck against the wishes of the crew. The storm was actually beautiful and dramatic and I arrived soaked with saltwater and happy.
In the past you could see all the wonderful sights and stop off at the pub for a porter a pipe and some”good crack”. Now you have to leave your Peterson in your pocket. I suppose two out of three ain’t bad.
My first trip was with my late wife who lived only months longer, so my second trip I took a pair of her earrings and tossed them off the Ha'Penny pedestrian bridge over the Liffy, and some young fella well into his cups, without knowing what I was doing came up and gave me hearty cheer. Only Dublin. That same trip I attended a 150th birthday for Oscar Wilde at Trinity College where his grandson gave a reading of his work looking much like him.
I remember hearing the term “crack” used in Van Morrison’s spoken word song, “Coney Island” and being curious.
“Out all day birdwatching
And the craic was good”
Seeing it here reminded me and moved me to look it up.
Good posts.
I read recently that crack is actually the correct spelling, as the term is originally Northumbrian, and was subsequently adopted by the Scots and Irish who, in the parlance of our times, retcon-ed it.
I prefer the smell of the peat fire. But, I remember Anna from Fermanagh. And, I enjoy the craic when in country. Most of my time is spent in the Republic though. Belleek is a favorite spot, North Irish village with an Irish castle flying the flag staring down at it from across the river. Poignant! Very poignant!
Ach, you should visit,so you should. The Antrim coast is one of the most beautiful and atmospheric places on the planet. No wonder this setting was used in Game of Thrones. Dunluce Castle captivated me as a young lad, as did the Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. I know you would be welcomed as a returning son.
I did a study abroad at Trinity College in the summer of 1995. That was a very interesting time to be in Ireland, as the first IRA ceasefire had started just a few months before. T
Before I relate the following anecdote, I want to be clear that I'm an American with no Irish (or British of any kind) blood in me, and aside from general goodwill to all communities in Ireland, I have no horse in that particular race.
At the time there were a lot of cultural exchanges going on between north and south, and as part of that trend David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party gave a speech at Trinity to the group of American students there as well as some other dignitaries that were invited. That the leader of a political party so closely associated (at least at that time) with Protestant paramilitary groups was giving a speech in Dublin was obviously a big deal. At the meet and greet following the speech he learned we were going to be in Belfast the next weekend as part of our planned activities. He set up a time for us to meet him at his local pub (the Longfellow) on Saturday night. He was very open about the fact that he wanted us to meet some his constituents.
We got to the pub a bit early, and well before Mr. Ervine was there. He did not give them any advance warning of our coming. While in Catholic West Belfast the sight of American students wouldn't really be all that remarkable, it was very unusual in Protestant East Belfast. I knew enough to recognize the UDA tattoos on the forearms of the guys sitting at the bar, and they were a bit befuddled by our presence. In a friendly way they started imitating American accents to make us laugh / freak us out, saying stuff like "we got toilets bigger than this place!" and "what, no Budweiser?" Everyone else just stared at us in curiosity.
Mr. Ervine arrived, announced we were his guests, and the ice immediately cracked. It was one of the best nights I had the entire summer, and they people there were great. It wasn't until a couple of hours later before any of us were allowed to buy a few rounds to repay their hospitality.
Before I relate the following anecdote, I want to be clear that I'm an American with no Irish (or British of any kind) blood in me, and aside from general goodwill to all communities in Ireland, I have no horse in that particular race.
At the time there were a lot of cultural exchanges going on between north and south, and as part of that trend David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party gave a speech at Trinity to the group of American students there as well as some other dignitaries that were invited. That the leader of a political party so closely associated (at least at that time) with Protestant paramilitary groups was giving a speech in Dublin was obviously a big deal. At the meet and greet following the speech he learned we were going to be in Belfast the next weekend as part of our planned activities. He set up a time for us to meet him at his local pub (the Longfellow) on Saturday night. He was very open about the fact that he wanted us to meet some his constituents.
We got to the pub a bit early, and well before Mr. Ervine was there. He did not give them any advance warning of our coming. While in Catholic West Belfast the sight of American students wouldn't really be all that remarkable, it was very unusual in Protestant East Belfast. I knew enough to recognize the UDA tattoos on the forearms of the guys sitting at the bar, and they were a bit befuddled by our presence. In a friendly way they started imitating American accents to make us laugh / freak us out, saying stuff like "we got toilets bigger than this place!" and "what, no Budweiser?" Everyone else just stared at us in curiosity.
Mr. Ervine arrived, announced we were his guests, and the ice immediately cracked. It was one of the best nights I had the entire summer, and they people there were great. It wasn't until a couple of hours later before any of us were allowed to buy a few rounds to repay their hospitality.
My family name is Raftery and O'Folan/Folan). We came over in the mid 1800's to Montana from Kerry. My people were poets (Blind Raftery) and Newspapermen. I believe they started one of the Missoula papers. Had the opportunity to ride a bicycle around the South for 10 days. Just an epic time.
Never been North of the Island. Would like to go there + the Isle of Man as well for the race.
Never been North of the Island. Would like to go there + the Isle of Man as well for the race.
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