Ulster Rambles

counting. Will I ever go back? Very unlikely. I probably have a better chance of winning lotto and I don’t even play that! Next on my list would be why the DUP are refusing to enter government at Stormont in Northern Ireland and the impact that is having. Well again this topic is very political. Those readers who are interested in this could well google it. Those readers who are not interested would stop reading this article right here. So, what is left? Over the last 15 years, I have always wanted to write an article which include three counties from “the South”, one of which is the most Northernly. Welcome to Irish logic. After that lengthy time, I have found one. Of course, it will be contentious but in a pleasantly argumentatively way. Which personalities are the most famous from each county? OK, you can write and let me know which one or ones you might have chosen from the many possibilities. Beginning in alphabetically order. Well, why not. Didn’t they do that at every school? I alway Allen was a great surname and Zorkin was not. All right I never met anyone with that surname. How about Young?

Starting with

Liam Neeson is one of our most famous Actually Hollywood’s biggest names, including Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins. look up the interview with Helen Mirren on the Graham Norto province, the infamous people Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). In CAVAN Mullagh certain what that was an abbreviation of) a award for his role in the drama series that other persuasion. She Channel 4 show propelled her and her four co of show. Of course was a writer and actor, known for Stay (2013), Bye mentioned in my last article. DONEGAL Patricia Brennan is a and New artist in history, and Coming from from enough as we

There are so many great topics to write about in July. We have the up-and-coming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and how the N. Ireland team might fare. That is not Ulster you might say. You have a point! We have the “Twelfth” of July and all the history behind that. I have mentioned that before and although the “atmosphere” nowadays has greatly improved, I will leave that topic behind as well. What about the recent elections in the province? You might well ask that question, but I am reluctant to enter that area having not lived there for some forty years or more and still counting. Will I ever go back? Very unlikely. I probably have a better chance of winning lotto and I don’t even play that! Next on my list would be why the DUP are refusing to enter government at Stormont in Northern Ireland and the impact that is having. Well again this topic is very political. Those readers who are interested in this could well google it. Those readers who are not interested would stop reading this article right here. So, what is left? Over the last 15 years, I have always wanted to write an article which included those three counties from “the South”, one of which is the most Northernly. Welcome to Irish logic. After that lengthy time, I have found one. Of course, it will be contentious but in a pleasantly argumentatively way. Which personalities are the most famous from each county? OK, you can write and let me know which one or ones you might have chosen from the many possibilities. Beginning in alphabetically order. Well, why not. Didn’t they do that at every school? I always thought Allen was a great surname and Zorkin was not. All right I never met anyone with that surname. How about Young?

Starting with ANTRIM, I have chosen Liam Neeson. Liam Neeson is one of our most famous Irish actors having starred in films such as Love Actually and Taken. Born in Ballymena, he has gone on to star alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins. You might like to look up the interview with Helen Mirren on the Graham Norton show; most intriguing. For ARMAGH I have chosen Ian Paisley. Not my kind of person when I lived in the province, but he seemed to mellow over the years. He was a controversial politician during the infamous Troubles (sorry for using that word) and was one of the most well-known Irish people during his time on this planet. Perhaps he is best known as the founder of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). In CAVAN I have selected Brian O’Bryrne. Another famous Irish actor who was born in Mullagh, a small Irish town quite close to Virginia. He won a BAFTA TV or (if you weren’t certain what that was an abbreviation of) a British Academy of Film and Television Arts award for his role in the drama series Little Boy Blue. I can’t go past

Saoirse-Monica

Jackson for DERRY or LONDONDERRY If you are from that other persuasion. She is the lead actress from the sitcom Derry Girls. The popular Channel 4 show propelled her and her four co-stars to worldwide fame. Sorry, not my kind of show. Of course Seamus Heaney was born in Castledawson, Londonderry, Northern Ireland. He was a writer and actor, known for Stay (2013), ByeChild (2003) and Seanchaí (2006) as mentioned in my last article. DONEGAL has always been a musical County, so Enya is an obvious choice here. Enya Patricia Brennan is a singer, songwriter, and musician, known for pioneering modern Celtic and New-age music. Regarded as the “Queen of New Age”, Enya is the best-selling Irish solo artist in history, and second best-selling overall behind U2. Coming from CO DOWN myself, I am probably more than biased here. So many to choose from. For example, Rory McIroy and maybe George THE IRISH SCENE | 85

Best although he was from Belfast (near enough as we would say). At present though Jamie Dornan is very popular with the masses. Jamie is an actor from Holywood (not to be confused with Hollywood, California) in Co Down. You may have seen him in the Fifty Shades movie trilogy or more recently in Belfast and The Tourist. FERMANAGH is famous for the great writer Oscar Wilde. Oscar is regarded as one of the most influential writers in Irish history. He is known for his epigrams, his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, and the circumstances of his imprisonment due to laws against homosexuality. One of the most famous people from Ireland has got to be Ardal O’Hanlon. Ardal is an actor best known as Dougal McGuire from sitcom Father Ted. He also starred in comedy sitcom My Hero which ran from 2000 to 2006. More recently he played the main role in Death in Paradise as well as Eamonn in Derry Girls and lastly as himself in Taskmaster. He hails from the County of MONAGHAN. Of course, I must include a golfer. Darren Clarke is an Irish professional golfer. He won the Open Championship in 2011, represented Europe in the Ryder Cup 5 times and was the non-playing captain in 2016. Darren was born in Dungannon in COUNTY TYRONE. If you feel inclined, write to Lloyd and tell him about your choice for the celebrity you like most in your County. Or write and vote for the celebrity you particularly favour. I will try and mention your choices in the next edition. Until then have a good whatever in July and as always may your God go with you. Liam Neeson is one of our most famous Irish actors having starred in films such as Love Actually and Taken. Born in Ballymena, he has gone on to star alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins. You might like to look up the interview with Helen Mirren on the Graham Norton show; most intriguing. For ARMAGH I have chosen Ian Paisley. Not my kind of person when I lived in the province, but he seemed to mellow over the years. He was a controversial politician during infamous Troubles (sorry for using that word) and was one of the most well-known Irish people during his time on this planet. Perhaps he is best known as the founder of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). CAVAN I have selected Brian O’Bryrne. Another famous Irish actor who was born in Mullagh, a small Irish town quite close to Virginia. He won a BAFTA TV or (if you weren’t certain what that was an abbreviation of) a British Academy of Film and Television Arts award for his role in the drama series Little Boy Blue. I can’t go past Saoirse-Monica Jackson for DERRY or LONDONDERRY If you are from that other persuasion. She is the lead actress from the sitcom Derry Girls. The popular Channel 4 show propelled her and her four co-stars to worldwide fame. Sorry, not my kind of show. Of course Seamus Heaney was born in Castledawson, Londonderry, Northern Ireland. He was a writer and actor, known for Stay (2013), Bye-Child (2003) and Seanchaí (2006) as mentioned in my last article. DONEGAL has always been a musical County, so Enya is an obvious choice here. Enya Patricia Brennan is a singer, songwriter, and musician, known for pioneering modern Celtic and New-age music. Regarded as the "Queen of New Age", Enya is the best-selling Irish solo artist in history, and second best-selling overall behind U2. Coming from CO DOWN myself, I am probably more than biased here. So many to choose from. For example, Rory McIroy and maybe George Best although he was from Belfast (near enough as we would say). At present though Jamie Dornan is very popular with the masses. I have chosen Liam Neeson. Liam Neeson is one of our most famous Irish actors having starred in films such as Love Born in Ballymena, he has gone on to star alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins. You might like to look up the interview with Helen Mirren on the Graham Norton show; most intriguing. I have chosen Ian Paisley. Not my kind of person when I lived in the but he seemed to mellow over the years. He was a controversial politician during (sorry for using that word) and was one of the most well-known Irish during his time on this planet. Perhaps he is best known as the founder of the Brian O’Bryrne. Another famous Irish actor who was born in quite close to Virginia. He won a BAFTA TV or (if you weren’t certain what that was an abbreviation of) a British Academy of Film and Television Arts award for his role in the drama series Little Boy Blue. Monica Jackson for DERRY or LONDONDERRY If you are from is the lead actress from the sitcom Derry Girls. The popular Channel 4 show propelled her and her four co-stars to worldwide fame. Sorry, not my kind was born in Castledawson, Londonderry, Northern Ireland. He was a writer and actor, known for Stay (2013), Bye

Jamie is an actor from Holywood (not to be confused with Hollywood, California) in Co Down. You may have seen him in the Fifty Shades movie trilogy or more recently in Belfast and The Tourist. FERMANAGH is famous for the great writer Oscar Wilde. Jamie is an actor from Holywood Down. You may have seen him in theand The Tourist. FERMANAGH is famous for the great writer Jamie is an actor from Holywood (not to be confused with Hollywood, California) in Down. You may have seen him in the Fifty Shades movie trilogy and The Tourist. FERMANAGH is famous for the great writer Oscar Wilde. Oscar is regarded as one of the most influential epigrams, his novel The Picture of Dorian Graydue to laws against homosexuality One of the most famous people from Ireland has got to be actor best known as Dougal McGuire from sitcom sitcom My Hero which ran from 2000 to 2006.Death in Paradise as well as Eamonn in hails from the County of MONAGHAN Of course, I must include a golfer. the Open Championship in 2011, represented Europe in the Ryder Cup 5 times and was the non-playing captain in 2016. Darren was born in Dungannon in If you feel inclined, write to Lloyd and tell him about your choice for the celebrity you like most in your County. Or write and vote for the celebrity and mention your choices in the next edition. Until then have a good always may your God go with you. Oscar is regarded as one of the most influential writers epigrams, his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, and the circumstances of his imprisonment due to laws against homosexuality. One of the most famous people from Ireland has got to be actor best known as Dougal McGuire from sitcom sitcom My Hero which ran from 2000 to 2006. More recently he played the main role in Death in Paradise as well as Eamonn in Derry girls hails from the County of MONAGHAN. Of course, I must include a golfer. Darren Clarke the Open Championship in 2011, represented Europe in the Ryder Cup 5 times and was the non-playing captain in 2016. Darren was born in Dungannon in If you feel inclined, write to Lloyd and tell him about your choice for the celebrity you like most in your County. Or write and vote for the celebrity and mention your choices in the next edition. Until then have a good always may your God go with you. Jamie is an actor from Holywood (not to be confused with Hollywood, California) in Co Down. You may have seen him in the Fifty Shades movie trilogy or more recently in Belfast and The Tourist. FERMANAGH is famous for the great writer Oscar Wilde. Oscar is regarded as one of the most influential writers in Irish history. He is known for his epigrams, his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, and the circumstances of his imprisonment due to laws against homosexuality. One of the most famous people from Ireland has got to be Ardal O’Hanlon. Ardal is an actor best known as Dougal McGuire from sitcom Father Ted. He also starred in comedy sitcom My Hero which ran from 2000 to 2006. More recently he played the main role in Death in Paradise as well as Eamonn in Derry girls and lastly as himself in Taskmaster. He hails from the County of MONAGHAN. Of course, I must include a golfer. Darren Clarke is an Irish professional golfer. He won the Open Championship in 2011, represented Europe in the Ryder Cup 5 times and was the non-playing captain in 2016. Darren was born in Dungannon in COUNTY TYRONE. If you feel inclined, write to Lloyd and tell him about your choice for the celebrity you like most in your County. Or write and vote for the celebrity you particularly favour. I will try and mention your choices in the next edition. Until then have a good whatever in July and as always may your God go with you. Oscar is regarded as one of the most influential writers in Irish history. He is known for his epigrams, his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, and the circumstances of his imprisonment due to laws against homosexuality. One of the most famous people from Ireland has got to be Ardal O’Hanlon. Ardal is an actor best known as Dougal McGuire from sitcom Father Ted. He also starred in comedy sitcom My Hero which ran from 2000 to 2006. More recently he played the main role in Death in Paradise as well as Eamonn in Derry girls and lastly as himself in Taskmaster. He hails from the County of MONAGHAN. Of course, I must include a golfer. Darren Clarke is an Irish professional golfer. He won the Open Championship in 2011, represented Europe in the Ryder Cup 5 times and was the non-playing captain in 2016. Darren was born in Dungannon in COUNTY TYRONE. If you feel inclined, write to Lloyd and tell him about your choice for the celebrity you like most in your County. Or write and vote for the celebrity you particularly favour. I will try and mention your choices in the next edition. Until then have a good whatever in July and as always may your God go with you. David MacConnell

Jamie is an actor from Holywood (not to be confused with Hollywood, California) in Co Down. You may have seen him in the Fifty Shades movie trilogy or more recently in Belfast and The Tourist. FERMANAGH is famous for the great writer Oscar Wilde. Oscar is regarded as one of the most influential writers in Irish history. He is known for his epigrams, his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, and the circumstances of his imprisonment due to laws against homosexuality. One of the most famous people from Ireland has got to be Ardal O’Hanlon. Ardal actor best known as Dougal McGuire from sitcom Father Ted. He also starred in comedy sitcom My Hero which ran from 2000 to 2006. More recently he played the main role in Death in Paradise as well as Eamonn in Derry girls and lastly as himself in Taskmaster hails from the County of MONAGHAN.

Of course, I must include a golfer. Darren Clarke is an Irish professional golfer. He won the Open Championship in 2011, represented Europe in the Ryder Cup 5 times and was the non-playing captain in 2016. Darren was born in Dungannon in COUNTY TYRONE.

If you feel inclined, write to Lloyd and tell him about your choice for the celebrity you like most in your County. Or write and vote for the celebrity you particularly favour and mention your choices in the next edition. Until then have a good whatever in July and always may your God go with you. David MacConnell

DAVID MACCONNELL