Tag: Northern Ireland

Wayne’s Word – Daft

Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.

It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.

If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord

Today’s word is DAFT.

Daft is a word we use a lot back home in Northern Ireland, it’s not cruel or cutting, it’s just a gentle way of saying that something is a bit silly.

I had one of those moments on my very first day working as a care assistant in an aged care home.

I turned up proudly dressed in a shirt and tie, thinking I looked very professional. What I hadn’t quite realised was that this job involved washing residents, helping with personal care, and getting properly stuck in.

I must have looked daft, I certainly felt that way!

Nevertheless, there was no time to overthink it. Off came the tie, my sleeves rolled up, and I got on with the job at hand, and thankfully I loved it. That was the beginning of my nursing journey.

Looking back, it still makes me smile. A daft start maybe but not a bad one. Feeling daft from time to time doesn’t define you. It just means you’re learning, adapting, and willing to get stuck in, and more often than not, those daft moments end up being the ones that teach us the most.

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Where Mountains Meet the Sea

Beach or mountains? Which do you prefer? Why?

Beach or mountains? That’s a really tough question!

Honestly, can I say both!? I can never fully commit to one because they each give me something that I love.

There’s something calming about walking along a beach, the sound of the waves, the wide-open horizon, that sea salt smell. Beaches feel freeing and awakening, like the world suddenly gets quieter in the best way.

However, mountains? They have their own kind of magic. I love the challenge of walking up a mountain, the sense of progress with every step, and that moment when you reach the top and everything stretches out below you. It’s grounding and energising all at once, the freshest air and quietest of spaces is hard to beat.

Furthermore, the ultimate dream!!?? A beach WITH a mountain view. There’s nothing more scenic or more satisfying than seeing those two worlds meet. One of my favourite places captures that perfectly: Murlough National Nature Reserve near Newcastle, Northern Ireland. It offers the best of both worlds, a beautiful beach with the Mourne Mountains rising in the background. There’s nothing more scenic than strolling along the sand while those mountains sweep down to the sea. STUNNING!

Murlough Beach, April 2023

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Home is where the heart is / November Shadows # 14

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

For me, it would have to be Northern Ireland, close to family and friends, surrounded by stunning scenery, and just a hop away from Europe. More specifically I would say a little town called Hillsborough. We absolutely loved living here in 2023 for almost a year. It has the most beautiful forest park, cosy pubs and close to the capital city of Belfast, however, it is super unaffordable to buy property here, for me at least.

That being said, to live in Northern Ireland, a few things would need to change…higher wages, a lower cost of living, and maybe a little more sunshine wouldn’t go astray! 

The most magical place, Hillsborough Forest Park. Also posted as part of Becky’s November Shadows Challenge! Look at those autumnal colours!!!

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Wayne’s Word – minging

It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.

If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord

Today’s word is MINGING.

This word follows on nicely from brutal, our last word used. If you’re from Northern Ireland, you’ll know exactly what minging means. It’s one of those wonderfully expressive words we use to describe anything truly unpleasant, something grotesque, dirty, or downright disgusting. Food can be minging, clothes can be minging, and yes, even people can be minging!

It’s also a go-to word for describing the weather, when it’s wet, cold, and damp, you’ll often hear someone sigh, “It’s absolutely minging out there.” A perfect Northern Irish way to sum up a miserable day, which is exactly what we have again today in Sydney! What is up with this weather?!

On a positive note, we’re heading to see another musical tonight at the theatre, this time it’s Back to the Future! I will let you know how it goes. Have a lovely Saturday everyone.

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Proudly Northern Irish

What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?

I would say that I am most proud of the resilience, friendliness and sense of humour in Northern Ireland. No matter where you go, there is always a good story, a bit of banter, and a strong sense of community.

Despite a complex history, Northern Irish people are often admired for their warmth, strength, and ability to make light of tough times.

Also famous locations and landmarks such as The Giant’s Causeway, Mourne Mountains, Harland & Wolf, in addition to the rugged coastlines are all symbols of natural beauty and part of the cultural identity of Northern Ireland.

Traybakes like Fifteens, potato bread, soda farls, Veda bread, Irish stew, and a proper Ulster Fry are cultural touchstones that anyone from Northern Ireland will be aware of and instantly reminds you of home. The food is always a talking point when you meet others outside of Northern Ireland.

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SCUNDERED

What’s your favorite word?

I have many, many favourite words which you might already know from my series Wayne’s Word but this word SCUNDERED has to be up there as one of my all time favourites, very well known in Northern Ireland.

If you are scundered, you are embarrassed, fed up, or ABSOLUTELY MORTIFIED by something. It’s one of those wonderfully flexible words that can describe different shades of awkwardness, depending on tone. We can also use this sarcastically or dramatically, making something sound very over the top for the purpose of telling a good story.

For example:

If you trip in front of a crowd, you might say, “I was scundered!” or if your friend tells a cringe story, you might admit, “I am scundered for you.”

It is a uniquely Northern Irish way of expressing that mix of embarrassment and exasperation. Not only does it sound great rolling off the tongue, but it also captures an emotion most of us know far too well.

Something I might say or many from Northern Ireland might say, “Scundered to a hundred” – It’s like turning the embarrassment or annoyance all the way up to maximum!!!

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Cup of tea for me

How do you relax?

Nothing relaxes me more than sitting in a comfortable chair, feet up and a big cup of tea. It has to be a hot cup of tea, not too milky but also not too strong (we can it builder’s tea).

My cup all the way from Northern Ireland. I love this company too, quite famous in Belfast – Born & Bred.
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From Belfast to Taveuni

Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.

Taveuni, often called the “Garden Island of Fiji,” is famous not only for its lush rainforests, waterfalls, and vibrant coral reefs, but also for being one of the few inhabited places in the world where the International Date Line runs right through the land. The line, which marks the boundary between one calendar day and the next, cuts across the island so neatly that locals like to say you can stand with one foot in “today” and the other in “yesterday.”

I remember sitting on a quiet beach in Taveuni, watching the sun sink into the Pacific, when it suddenly struck me that I was as far from home as I could possibly be. I had crossed oceans and continents to reach this little island, and there was no way to go any further without starting the long journey back. That realisation of being quite literally on the other side of the world, made the moment feel both humbling and magical, as if I had reached the very edge of my own map.

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Wayne’s Word – dure

It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.

If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord

Today’s word is DURE (pronounced like lure).

When someone is “dure” in Northern Irish dialect, they’re being:

Sullen, grumpy, surly, unsmiling or hard to crack.

It’s often used to describe someone who’s in bad form, moody, or just plain difficult to be around.

For example, “He’s a dure wee man, he never cracks a smile.”

I thought of this word when being served by a sales assistant today at the post office, who looked pretty dure. This is quite often the case when I visit the post office, for whatever reason 🙊.

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Wayne’s Word – quare

It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.

If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord

Today’s word is QUARE.

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of chatting with someone from Northern Ireland, chances are you’ve heard the word “quare” pop up in conversation. But what exactly does it mean?

Definition:

Quare is an all-purpose adjective in Northern Irish everyday language. It originates from a local pronunciation of “queer,” but it doesn’t carry the modern connotations of gender or sexuality. Instead, it simply means:

Very remarkable, unusual, excellent or just a general emphasis on something.

It’s a flexible word – quare handy, you could say.

Examples you could hear in Northern Ireland:

“He’s a quare lad, so he is.” – means that he’s a really good guy.

“That was a quare feed!” – means that was a big or delicious meal.

“It’s quare warm today.” – means it’s very warm today.

“She’s a quare one.” – means she’s a character / unique / odd in a good way.

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Wayne’s Word – craic

It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.

If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord

Today’s word is CRAIC.

I thought it might be fun to introduce you to a very common Irish word today, which you might have already heard before. Craic is basically a word for fun / good times, not to be confused with crack (as in the drug), although it sounds the same as crack but can only be spelled as craic. I hope that makes sense. Here are a couple of ways we can use this fantastic word :

“Having the craic” basically means having fun, enjoying good conversation or being in good company. It can involve laughter, music, storytelling, maybe a pint or two—just generally having good vibes.

“What’s the craic?” is like asking, “What’s going on?” or “What’s the news?” It’s a casual greeting, sort of like saying “What’s up?” or “How are things?”

Here are a couple of examples:

“We were out at the pub last night, great craic altogether!” or “it was great craic”.

“What’s the craic, Wayne? Haven’t seen you in ages!”

It’s a key part of Irish culture, mixing humor, storytelling, and a laid-back spirit. Please do not say “Having a craic” which I have heard some Aussies say haha.

Let me know if you have heard this word being used. I love to hear it being used and it always reminds me of home.

Wayne

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