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Interesting Words in Northern Ireland

Pictured above is the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (NI) badge. Sergeant Shay Maguire’s badge in “Trapped.” Some interesting words spoken in NI are: “I didn’t just float up the Lagan in a bubble.” It means “I’m not stupid.” The Lagan is a river that flows through Belfast. “Off their trollies” means drunk. “Does myContinue reading “Interesting Words in Northern Ireland”

Northern Ireland’s Orange Order Parade

July 12th every year Protestant Unionist hold their flags high as they march. Sometimes their march borders a Catholic street. When Kathrin asked Shay what the Orange parade was about, he answered, “It’s a celebration of Protestant King William of Orange’s victory over Catholic King James in 1690. That’s when Protestants began their domination overContinue reading “Northern Ireland’s Orange Order Parade”

Irish Homes

Shay’s home looks like the one on the left. The cottage on the right was built in the 1700’s. This one room contains kitchen, bedroom and living room. Notice how they dry their socks and dish towels by the fire. Dishes sit on an open shelf. The bed is on the left, and table andContinue reading “Irish Homes”

Northern Irish Accent

The photo above is of some Irish people enjoying their day. Thought you might like hearing the Northern Irish accent. Click on these two links. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9SApeProCY and another is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEaT4W7LL60

Life after Abduction

Ever wonder what happens to hostages after they return to “normal” life? In book one, men rob a bank and hold three women hostage. Emily and Beth were abducted with Kathrin. They shared a traumatic experience that no one outside the three of them could fully understand. This bonded them in an enduring and uniqueContinue reading “Life after Abduction”

Twenty-five Foot High Peace Walls

Above is an example of eighteen miles of -sometimes twenty-five-foot high – peace walls in Belfast. They lock the peace wall’s gates at night. Gates that separate Catholics and Protestants. In some districts, Catholics and Protestants live across the street from each other. Tension can crop up more often there, than in districts where theyContinue reading “Twenty-five Foot High Peace Walls”

Shay’s typical Irishmen’s attire

Above is an Irishmen’s attire Shay from “Trapped” typically wears when he’s not in uniform. Often, he clothes himself in a wool-blend sweater – the Irish call a jumper. The hat is called a flat cap. There’s a reason why they dress warm. The warmest weather is usually in the 60s F. The coldest isContinue reading “Shay’s typical Irishmen’s attire”

Why my Interest in Northern Ireland

That’s Ron and I in 1992 and then in 2010 (about). If you don’t see the second photo, go to “Read more >>” at the end. Can you guess which one was in 1992? As author of “Trapped” my interest in Northern Ireland (NI) was born out of visiting there and my husband’s ancestry. MyContinue reading “Why my Interest in Northern Ireland”

Countryside of Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland compares in size to Connecticut or Okanogan County, Washington. Imagine living on a wee (small) island all your life. “Wee” is one of their favorite words. It can refer to a wee cup of tea or anything even if it isn’t small. “A wee word,” means “I want to talk to you.” DrivingContinue reading “Countryside of Northern Ireland”

Shay’s Classic Packard

Shay Maguire from “Trapped” lives in Belfast. He enjoys classic cars. The one he presently drives is this 1934 Packard Twelve with the steering wheel on the right-hand side. The engine is a V12 which was rated for 160 horsepower. That’s a lot of horses. Today’s v6 engines have more horseys. It has a 3-speedContinue reading “Shay’s Classic Packard”