Northern Ireland
Goward Dolmen, County Down: Summer 2020
Sometimes called Pat Kearney’s big stone, you can see the remains of his long gone thatched cottage by the surprisingly large capstone. It’s thought to weigh50 tons and as slipped. But you can still easily imagine the portal tomb. Not the best sign-posted just look out for Goward Rioa and it’s up there, past a …
Belfast Telegraph piece re Brexit and Retail in Northern Ireland
I was pleased last week to get my (hopefully) first byline in the Belfast Telegraph and it looks like I’m in Northern Ireland for 2021 at the very least. So I’m thinking a lot about Brexit, retail, Northern Ireland, Ireland and marketplaces, ecommerce. What I’m still trying to get my head around is what sort …
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Annaghmare court tomb, near Crossmaglen, county Armagh
Annaghmare court tomb is a well preserved example of a court tomb probably dating back about 6 thousand years or so. It’s a multi chambered tomb with some evidence of earlier neolithic activity on the site. Rather sadly at the Annaghmare court tomb there are no signs or boards to help you understand it and …
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The Kilfeaghan dolmen and portal tomb in County Down
In March 2020, on the last (I didn’t know it then) permissible Sunday excursion before we were locked down the first time, the destination was the Kilfeaghan dolmen on the road to Kilkeel. You’ll find the signs after killowen on the left hand side. Then up a fairly rural road, you can park and then …
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A trip to Killowen on Carlingford Lough
Back in the middle of September, I managed to get down to Killowen on the county Down shore of Carlingford Lough between Rostrevor and Kilkeel. It has a charming stretch of beach that certainly doesn’t seem to get very many visitors. But it has some utterly stunning views both up and down the lough. (There’s …
The Seatruck on Carlingford Lough and Warrenpoint Harbour
Warrenpoint, by tonnage, is the second biggest port in Northern Ireland and will be deeply impacted by Brexit. Hard or soft. And the freight ship Seatruck is a regular sight on the lough. You can also take a car on the Seatruck and head off to Heysham. Sadly for this pedestrian, they don’t permit sole …
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The Mournes Mountain Brewery: ‘ale by mail.’
During the Covid crisis a local, the Mourne Mountains Brewery, pivoted and enabled online shopping and delivery. Just taken receipt of a case of bottles at home. Already chilled. It arrives in a refrigerated van! So it’s rude not to….
Visiting St Patrick in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland: 17th March 2019
On Sunday 17th March 2019, there was only once place to go. Downpatrick in County Down where history says he is buried by where the cathedral now stands. They had a parade and festivities.
Visiting Annalong harbour, County Down, Northern Ireland
The rather beautiful harbour at Annalong boasts a beautiful stone quay and also an old cornmill. And the town has several well-regarded restaurants.
Looking across the border to the Republic of Ireland
To many, if not most, British politicians, indeed to most people who live in the United Kingdom, the border that crosses the of Ireland is just an idea. To some it’s irrelevant and just doesn’t matter. It’s basically just a complex political problem. But is also real. And I’m spending some time in Northern Ireland …
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