Tag: Northern Ireland

Sweet Treat: Fifteens

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Fifteens were probably one of the first things I ever made with my mum in our kitchen.  Just the ticket with a hot cup of milky tea, they are really easy to make and a staple at every coffee morning I’ve ever been to back home.

As the name suggests, all you need are 15 of each ingredient bound together with glorious, gloopy condensed milk and garnished with a generous sprinkle of coconut.  You can double up your ingredients and make a bigger batch – they freeze well and defrost quickly so they’re great for when people drop in.

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FIRST

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Last week was a roller coaster. We mourned the loss of some of the world’s most vibrant and innovative artists.  It was difficult to feel warmth in the dark abyss.  And yet a chink of light appeared under a heavy door as a stiff key turned toward change.

Last week, for the first time, a woman became First Minister of Northern Ireland.  If you’re not familiar with Northern Irish politics First Minister is a bit like Prime Minister.  Her name is Arlene Foster and she comes from County Fermanagh.  Fermanagh, if you’ve never been, is where the majority of rain that falls in Northern Ireland seems to land and as a result, abounds with lush green fields.

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My Day In Pictures: St. George’s Market

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One of my favourite places to visit when I’m home is St. George’s Market.  A stone’s throw from Belfast Central station, it’s a great place to wile away the hours.  Open Friday – Sunday you can start your day with breakfast from one of the many stalls – a good idea if you’ve been sampling the local pubs and clubs the night before.  And it’s not just local food you’ll find there – if you’ve a hankering for paella, for example, they’ve got you covered.

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My Day In Pictures: Stunning Stormont

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Stormont, or the ‘House on the Hill’ as it’s also known in Northern Ireland, is home to our sometimes turbulent NI Assembly – the closest equivalent is Parliament.  Situated on the outskirts of Belfast, in the grounds of Stormont Estate, its position at the top of the hill affords it some stunning views of the city.

The grounds of the Estate are free to visit and open all year round.  A popular spot with runners, walkers and wet noses, it’s a great place to practise some nature photography.

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