100 Things: Northern Ireland Part 1

Northern Ireland is a beautiful country that I think most people overlook due to its troubled past. I therefore wanted to list 100 things that I love about my country that hopefully, will make you fall in love with it too...

#1 The Giant's Causeway

This is pretty much our most famous landmark, being named the 4th Natural Wonder in the UK in 2005. Legend has it that Finn McCool built it in order to walk to Scotland to fight Benandonner. However, he fell asleep before he got there and Benandonner crossed over instead. Finn's wife Oonagh (Una) covered him with a blanket and pretended he was a baby. When Benandonner saw the size of the "baby" he assumed the father, Finn was gigantic and fled home, ripping up the Causeway as he went so that Finn couldn't follow him.

#2 The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Carrick-a-Rede means "rock in the road" and the bridge was made so that fishermen could access the Carrick island. Although it may not look incredibly sturdy, no one has fallen off it. Yet.

#3 The Titanic

Everyone is aware of the tragic tale of the Titanic so there's really no need for me to explain anything other than it was built in Belfast.

#4 Portrush

Portrush is a little seaside town that everyone visits at least once during the summer. It's where my parents took us every year of my summer holidays as a child where I played in the amusements and went on the roller-coasters. I always loved saving up pennies for the amusements all year long just for that one day in the year.

#5 The University of Ulster

I've already shown you my campus at Magee, so I thought I'd show you the Belfast campus instead. It's frigging huge and reminds me of Hogwarts. You can't help but feel smart walking around it's grounds.

#6 Snow Patrol

The legend that is Snow Patrol are from a small place called Bangor and have taken the world by storm with tracks like Chasing Cars and Run.

#7 No Snakes

For those with you with snake phobias, rejoice! For Northern Ireland hasn't got any. Legend has it that Saint Patrick banished all the snakes after one attacked him during a 40 day fast. However, there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that snakes ever lived here.

#8 Potatoes

Potatoes are the staple food of anyone here, including myself. It's pretty much the only vegetable I eat religiously. They're pretty darn versatile what with being able to be baked, roasted, mashed, boiled, chipped, fried as well as being tasty ingredients in stews and soups.

#9 City of Culture 2013

My hometown of Londonderry has been awarded the title of the UK's City of Culture 2013, something that is pretty darn impressive! I really didn't think we'd win.

#10 Northwest 200

Every summer the Northwest 200 motorcycle race happens which causes quite a buzz throughout Northern Ireland. Mainly because the little seaside town of Portrush and surrounding areas gets so crowded and because the roads are closed for the race. Anyone who is a motorcycle fan will also know that the champion Joey Dunlop also came from a place called Ballymoney over here.

This ten part series is inspired by Charlotte

To see more in this series, click here