Have you visited Northern Ireland and if so what is your opinion of the place?

Leftist · 07-12-2011 10:24AM

Trevor Kent wrote: »

I go to Newry and Belfast with the other half on short breaks every so often. Love going up there. People are really friendly, especially in Newry. There seems to be a good work ethic up there from what I can see and you definitely get a better service up there.

Protestant work ethic for you.

It's immediatly noticable.

Must be difficult for northern protestants warming to the south, unless the services is ex-eastern bloc it's usually some genius who thinks alcoholism is a badge of honour and the GAA is actually important.

Noreen1 · 07-12-2011 10:49AM

Living in Donegal, I visit "The North" often.

British or Irish? Both - and neither!

Some areas are staunchly Irish, others staunchly British, yet both are different to either Britain or Ireland.
Most people are friendly and helpful, yet, at certain times of the year, the tension and mistrust can be palpable. You could have cut the atmosphere with a knife the day after the Bloody Sunday report, for instance.
I avoid the place like the plague in July, as do many people from the North, if the number of Northern reg. cars in my area are any indication.
However, things are getting better up there, thankfully. Apart from the flags, and the red, white and blue kerbs,(which give off a very unwelcoming vibe, btw) for most of the year, Derry doesn't feel any different to Donegal

Otherwise, I like the North. Some very nice, friendly people on both sides of the political divide.

1direction · 07-12-2011 10:52AM

As being Irish, Irish people do not consider northern Ireland as Ireland (no offence) and I believe England do not really consider them apart of Britain so I'd say there part of northern Ireland

Immaculate Pasta · 07-12-2011 10:58AM

1direction wrote: »

As being Irish, Irish people do not consider northern Ireland as Ireland (no offence) and I believe England do not really consider them apart of Britain so I'd say there part of northern Ireland

Is that you Niall Horan?

LordSutch · 07-12-2011 11:03AM

pragmatic1 wrote: »

Many times and love the place, especially Belfast. Its Irish but with a twist. Maybe what we would be like if we never left the UK.

I find Belfast to be very like many other British Cities, personally I think there is an unquantifyable difference between Belfast and Dublin, a different vibe that I also pick up in many cities in Britain. Can't put my finger on it though!

pragmatic1 wrote: »

Harder people than us southern softies though.

Its the strong Anglo/Scots mix that does that.

the keen edge · 07-12-2011 11:06AM

Leftist wrote: »

Must be difficult for northern protestants warming to the south, unless the services is ex-eastern bloc it's usually some genius who thinks alcoholism is a badge of honour and the GAA is actually important.

What a ridiculous comment.

So the GAA, the most popular sporting organisation in the Republic: therefore it is actually very important, is making it difficult for Northern Protestants to warm to the south?.

And are you trying to say that people in the Republic have a significantly higher fondness of the drink?.
Or that alcoholism is seen as a proud characteristic of Irish service staff?.

johngalway · 07-12-2011 11:15AM

Been there twice, couldn't wait to get out of the place either time.

positron · 07-12-2011 11:19AM

I don't know if it's more British or Irish, but it's stunning. Beautiful.

For Forks Sake · 07-12-2011 11:44AM

1direction wrote: »

As being Irish, Irish people do not consider northern Ireland as Ireland (no offence) and I believe England do not really consider them apart of Britain so I'd say there part of northern Ireland

Is KeithAFC banned at the moment, can't believe this has made it 5 pages without his 'input'

baalthor · 07-12-2011 11:55AM

Leftist wrote: »

Trevor Kent wrote: »

I go to Newry and Belfast with the other half on short breaks every so often. Love going up there. People are really friendly, especially in Newry. There seems to be a good work ethic up there from what I can see and you definitely get a better service up there.

Protestant work ethic for you.

It's immediatly noticable.

Must be difficult for northern protestants warming to the south, unless the services is ex-eastern bloc it's usually some genius who thinks alcoholism is a badge of honour and the GAA is actually important.

The GAA is very important in the North also.

Seanchai · 07-12-2011 11:56AM

John Doe1 wrote: »

Have you visited Northern Ireland and if so what is your opinion of the place?

I wouldn't get too bothered about this "Northern Ireland" stuff. It's a temporary little arrangement. 90 years of existence is nothing in the scheme of Irish history.

And lol at all the British soccer followers in Dublin and deprived areas of other towns in the 26 Counties saying the Murphys and O'Neills of Armagh and Tyrone (to take some of 700,000 people still living under British rule in Ireland who self-define as Irish, and not as British) are not as Irish as them.

There are some serious delusions going on in this thread.

getz · 07-12-2011 12:01PM

baalthor wrote: »

The GAA is very important in the North also.

only among one section of the community,the rest like football

St.Spodo · 07-12-2011 12:23PM

I've only ever been to Newry and Derry. Quite liked Derry as I thought it was a fascinating city, wouldn't live there,though. Found Newry to be quite economically backward, to be honest. Culturally, it had elements of Britain and of Ireland.

I've never been to Belfast and have heard a lot of good things about it. My grandad, a Dublin man, always told me that it's the nicest city on the island.

NIMAN · 07-12-2011 12:26PM

NI to the British is Irish, and to some Irish is British and other Irish Irish.

Clear as mud.

keano_afc · 07-12-2011 12:36PM

I go up every couple of months, its a great place. Some of the people are naturally suspicious but given what they've been through its somewhat understandable. Getting around is easy, and despite staying in East Belfast the majority of the time I go up, I've never had any problems from the locals. A trip at Christmas to Belfast is recommended, the Christmas market is great craic and the city is buzzing.

As for the difference, well you do feel like you're not in Ireland at times. Usually when I go to the bar and can get 4 pints for a tenner and then spend a pound getting a taxi home.

07-12-2011 12:42PM

When I was on holiday in Donegal as a child sometime around 1990 my family went all of 1km over the border into Belleek.

My memories of it are:
Seeing a British army helicopter circle the village and land in a field - exciting for a 10 year old
Seeing soldiers on the street - exciting for a 10 year old
Lots and lots of pottery - boring for a 10 year old
Telling my sister I would tell the army at the border checkpoint she was a terrorist - great fun.

Except for the pottery it was a great visit for a 10 year old.

COYW · 07-12-2011 12:42PM

the keen edge wrote: »

What a ridiculous comment.

So the GAA, the most popular sporting organisation in the Republic: therefore it is actually very important, is making it difficult for Northern Protestants to warm to the south?.

To be fair, the GAA is a very closed organisation in terms of membership. I doubt that it is very open towards members of the protestant community in Northern Ireland considering it's lack of openness towards protestants in the Republic. Is it true that the PSNI are not present at GAA games up north? If so, why?

I have visited Northern Ireland and found it to be a pleasant experience, overall. The towns and cities are different from those down here and in the mainland UK. I did find it very awkward entering areas with footpaths painted in red, white and blue or green, white and orange. Dropping their love affair with flags and painting footpaths would make the place more appealing. Belfast city centre is lovely and the people were very friendly and warm. The customer service you get in towns such as Portadown is brilliant. Makes a change from down here.

fishy fishy · 07-12-2011 12:44PM

well it is on the Island of Ireland, so therefore it is as Irish as anywhere else on the island. But I don't go up there with political views in my head

Belfast is fabulous - miles ahead of dublin - people lovely, town center fabulous, heck of a lot cheaper, and great vibe there. I'll take it.

NIMAN · 07-12-2011 12:52PM

I have had a few 'Southerners' visit me and we went out in Derry.

They could not believe the value of the food and drink. Paying £2.50 for a pint was a shock for them, not to mention the specials in the pubs/clubs, and quite a few restaurants with 25%/30% off the food/drink bill.

baalthor · 07-12-2011 12:53PM

COYW wrote: »

the keen edge wrote: »

What a ridiculous comment.

So the GAA, the most popular sporting organisation in the Republic: therefore it is actually very important, is making it difficult for Northern Protestants to warm to the south?.

To be fair, the GAA is a very closed organisation in terms of membership. I doubt that it is very open towards members of the protestant community in Northern Ireland considering it's lack of openness towards protestants in the Republic. Is it true that the PSNI are not present at GAA games up north? If so, why?

There is a PSNI GAA team.

Daniel S · 07-12-2011 12:54PM

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Is KeithAFC banned at the moment, can't believe this has made it 5 pages without his 'input'

Everyone post random shíte quick! We might actually get to ten pages without hearing the wrong side of the arguement first!

baalthor · 07-12-2011 12:57PM

getz wrote: »

baalthor wrote: »

The GAA is very important in the North also.

only among one section of the community,the rest like football

That doesn't make it unimportant.

getz · 07-12-2011 12:57PM

COYW wrote: »

To be fair, the GAA is a very closed organisation in terms of membership. I doubt that it is very open towards members of the protestant community in Northern Ireland considering it's lack of openness towards protestants in the Republic. Is it true that the PSNI are not present at GAA games up north? If so, why?

I have visited Northern Ireland and found it to be a pleasant experience, overall. The towns and cities are different from those down here and in the mainland UK. I did find it very awkward entering areas with footpaths painted in red, white and blue or green, white and orange. Dropping their love affair with flags and painting footpaths would make the place more appealing. Belfast city centre is lovely and the people were very friendly and warm. The customer service you get in towns such as Portadown is brilliant; protestant work ethic as others have said.

it would be very difficult for the PSNI to be at GAA grounds,that are named after dead republican terrorists from a organization who have murdered policemen and are still doing so ,something the GAA should be looking into,these same people protested outside croak park,at the recent annual GAA game between both police teams[north and south]

gurramok · 07-12-2011 01:01PM

getz wrote: »

it would be very difficult for the PSNI to be at GAA grounds,that are named after dead republican terrorists from a organization who have murdered policemen and are still doing so ,something the GAA should be looking into,these same people protested outside croak park,at the recent annual GAA game between both police teams[north and south]

And we're off! You just have to ruin a good thread by throwing your political ranting in :mad:

lcrcboy · 07-12-2011 01:11PM

Last year was my first ever time going up to Northern Ireland, went up with my da, I was really surprised by the amount of union jacks I know its part of the UK but it just felt strange that I had just driven over an invisible line and all of a sudden there were union jacks everywhere (Id say its just down to the fact that Im used to flying to England and seeing it there,not being able to drive on the same piece of land and come across the change)

When we drove into Belfast I couldn't get over the massive council apartment block with tricolour flags hanging off them and spray painted at the top something like "free sean kelly" cant remember the exact name, and then immediately across the river from those apartments was row after row of union jacks, it was a little intimidating haha. When I walked into the shopping center in Belfast I felt like I was being watched haha really stupid I know but I had never been north before and all I had heard about northern Ireland was stories from the lads and what you see on TV about the troubles, plus the fact that I had just seen those apartment blocks. But after a few minutes I calmed down, great shopping center and appeared to be cheaper than down south, overall I enjoyed my experience up north even if it was just a day.

Leftist · 07-12-2011 01:15PM

Seanchai wrote: »

I wouldn't get too bothered about this "Northern Ireland" stuff. It's a temporary little arrangement. 90 years of existence is nothing in the scheme of Irish history.

.

Incorrect. Prove otherwise.

getz · 07-12-2011 01:22PM

gurramok wrote: »

And we're off! You just have to ruin a good thread by throwing your political ranting in :mad:

i was answering to a question put by COYW

Raskolnikov · 07-12-2011 01:27PM

I live in the North, here's the good stuff.
1. Some stuff here is spectacularly cheap. A pint in my Republic local is €4.10, compared to €3.25 in the North. The gap in grocery stuff has narrowed a lot though, I don't think the prices in off-licences, fresh fruit/veg, fresh meat is any different at all now. Price of cars, electric is drastically cheaper though.
2. People driving are generally a lot more considerate of other road users.
3. Rail transportation is brilliant when available, love the Belfast Enterprise.

Here's the bad stuff.
1. Sorry, but the old jokes about southern roads are no longer true. The roads in Armagh where I live are generally a disgrace compared to those in the Republic.
2. People up here will instantly identify if you're from the Republic, it can be used as carte blanche to try and rip you off.
3. Alcohol/substance abuse is even worse in the North compared to the Republic.
4. Petrol and diesel is more expensive, even with budget changes.

scholar007 · 07-12-2011 01:28PM

John Doe1 wrote: »

and do consider it more british than irish or vice versa?

Been in NI twice - 1st time - 15 years ago - as I was heading back to the republic a british army helicopter shadowed me (like flew alongside me in the field next to the road) all the way to the border - Very unsettling!

2nd time - 3 years ago - to get a ferry to Scotland - I stopped to ask directions in Belfast and was about to cross the road to go into a shop when a young lady (noticing the southern plates on my car) beckoned me over and told me that it wasn't safe - Terrifying!

Will I be going back? definitely not! - Progress me arse!

Raskolnikov · 07-12-2011 01:29PM

Oh, forgot another important one. The quality of NHS healthcare is much, much better than the Irish system.

Have you visited Northern Ireland and if so what is your opinion of the place?

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