15 Signs You Grew Up In Northern Ireland

Growing up in Northern Ireland is a truly unique experience, however there are some similarities and traditions that are apparent in a Northern Irish upbringing. Here are 15 signs you grew up in Northern Ireland:

1) You can refer to any one as ‘big man’ despite their height

‘Big man’ is an easy way of greeting someone in Northern Ireland- “Alright big man?”

2) You can justify doing anything if it was done ‘for the craic’

We’re all about the craic in Northern Ireland, any idea -good or bad- can be justified if it was done for the craic.

3) Everything and anything can be referred to as ‘wee’ despite the size

‘Wee’ can be thrown into any sentence and make sense. “Would you like a wee cuppa tea?” “Give me wee minute to sort this out” “Awk sure, a wee bit of cake won’t do any harm”

4) “Well?” is as good as any greeting

Answering a question with a question is one of our favourite ways to say hello to each other in NI. “Well, Tony?” “Well, Michael?” the question isn’t answered yet you’ve said everything you need to say.

5) Saying “bye” 10 times consecutively before hanging up the phone

You can’t end a phone call without really driving home the point that the conversation is over. “That’ll do. Right bye, bye, bye-bye, bye b-bye.”

6) You know how to prepare potatoes all kinds of different ways

Any way a potato is prepared will go down a treat, but the never ending list of how to prepare them will be ingrained in our brains forever

7) You wait all week for your parents to do the ‘big shop’

When the big shop happens, the fridge is stocked, the cupboards are full and it’s the highlight of your week

8) The hot press was always the answer to lost clothing items

Can’t find your favourite jeans or coziest jumper? “Have you checked the hotpress?”

9) Soup and a sandwich is the perfect combination

You can’t just have soup or a sandwich, they need to go together. Preferably a Tayto cheese and onion sandwich.

10) The tiniest bit of sun is an excuse to go to Portrush

Summer can’t begin until you’re heading to the Port for Barry’s and dinky donuts.

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11) If you ever lose anything, St Anthony is your man

Lost your keys? A quick rhyme of “Dear St. Anthony please come around something is lost and it cannot be found.” Will do trick.

12) You’re scared of using the immersion heater

Nothing strikes fear in an Irish child’s heart more than hearing “Who left the immersion on?!”

13) You’ve given Irish Dancing a go at some point

We’ve all been to a Feis, we’ve all worn the pumps, and we still know our ‘over 2 3’s’.

14) Flat Sprite or 7UP can cure any illness

Flu? Flat 7UP. Stomach bug? Flat Sprite. I don’t know why, or how this works but it is foolproof.

15) Any word can be used to describe yourself or someone else as ‘drunk’

We love our drink in Norn Iron, so much so you can use any word to describe the state you were in at the weekend. Steaming, half-cut, blootered, hammered, plastered – the list goes on.

Did you grow up in Northern Ireland? Do any of these ring a bell? Leave a comment below telling us what you can relate to, or if you have any other experiences from growing up in Northern Ireland -let us know!

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