In our Northern Roots series, we speak to readers originally from Northern Ireland but currently living elsewhere, or vice versa – or who’ve spent time away from Northern Ireland. This week’s interviewee is Jonny Blair who grew up in NI and now lives in Poland.

 

1. Tell us about yourself. When did you leave Northern Ireland and where did you go? What do you do now?

I was born in Newtownards and grew up in Bangor. I’m a proud Northern Irishman and I loved the 23 years I spent living there. However, I realised life was short and so I headed out to see the world in 2003 and haven’t moved back to Northern Ireland since.

I’ve been away for just over 16 years and still love Northern Ireland. I’m a huge Northern Ireland football fan and didn’t miss a home game for 13 years at one point. I’ve now been to over 120 matches, home and away, and I still try to go a few times per year – but, as I’m not based in Northern Ireland any more, I gave up my block booking. On my travels I have lived and studied in England, Poland, Uruguay and Hong Kong. I also worked in Australia and on the ferries to France. I now live in Poland where I work as a freelance teacher, editor, writer, blogger, marketer and copywriter.

2. What do you think when you see the Northern Ireland of today, in the news and on social media?

I love it. I get a shiver down my spine. As controversial as it sounds, I don’t feel British or Irish – only Northern Irish. The magic six counties is where it’s at. We are special in the wee six. We need to focus on Northern Ireland, our own wee country and be proud of it. I hate the fact that I can’t own a separate passport. What do you do if you’re a Northern Irish nationalist?!

If Northern Ireland is in the news or in social media, I generally love, like, share, retweet and I am happy to read it.

 

3. Are you hopeful for Northern Ireland’s future? Will Brexit make a difference?

I’m always hopeful because our people are special. There’s a magic in the Northern Irish air. The smell of dulse on Holywood Bay, yer man ‘atin a pastie supper’ on Bangor pier, wee Jimmy chatting away till wee Sean as they walk their religiously divided dogs past the Divis Flats. The ongoing Derry v Doire v London v Londonderry debate. It’s all quare craic, so it is!

After Brexit, we’ll probably be eating less German sausage, less French cheese and drinking less Greek Ouzo. Power back to the Northern Irish people hopefully!

 

4. Do you think you will return to Northern Ireland? What could convince you to come back?

Nobody knows the future, simple as that. But I’ve still spent much longer in Northern Ireland than in any other country, so I think I can definitely have more time away from it on my journey to keep checking other cultures out. I’ve been to Northern Ireland almost 100 times now and it’s still my most visited country, so I hope that will never change. As for living there full time again, who knows? We’d need to get rid of the British and Irish ‘50-50 coin’ mind-sets first.

 

5. What can Northern Ireland learn from the place you live now?

I now live in Poland, which is proudly flying its own flag and the people are together. I’d love to see a united Northern Ireland with only our Northern Irish things promoted. I don’t have any affinity with British flags or Irish tricolours. We need to have pride to be Northern Irish.

I guess the amount of locally produced food and drink in Poland is higher than in Northern Ireland per head of population, so we should focus on home-grown talent. From other cultures, we can also learn that “United we stand, divided we fall.” Separating religions, flags, schools, football teams and marches divides us. I’ll support almost anything positive except for the results of Linfield FC (sorry Blues fans – you’ll feel the same about the Glens).

I’d say the world needs more Northern Ireland.

 

6. If Northern Ireland had a president with sweeping powers, and it was you, what would you do?

I’d make every hard working immigrant a Northern Irish citizen, and proud ones. I’d also make our national flag official and I’d have a Northern Irish national anthem. In addition:

I’d send everyone DVDs of Gerry Armstrong goals against Spain, Israel and Honduras.

I’d have David Healy, Iris Robinson, Roy Carroll and Gerry Kelly on my panel of government ministers.

I’d make national holidays on days that respect every religion that we have in Northern Ireland and, of course, we’d have a huge party for a whole year in 1921 to celebrate 100 years of brilliance.

I’d also ensure we have huge parties and national days on Saint Patrick’s Day, the 25th June, the 12th July and the 7th September to try and represent all historic events that Northern Irish people feel affinity to.

7. What would you like to see more of on Northern Slant?

A more focus on the benefits of living in Northern Ireland. I mean, we have one of the biggest unknown inland lake in Europe and Glentoran FC won the first ever European football trophy (1914 Vienna Cup). More photos of Lough Neagh at sunrise and sunset would be brilliant. Just keeping things as local as they can be.

 

8. If you could ask three Northern Ireland politicians (past or present) to dinner, who would they be? And why?

Really tough question. I’ve met a few of them before, like John Taylor and Robert McCartney and I know Edward Carson is from the Republic, so not sure he can be included. It’s a really tough question. In Northern Ireland we’re all politicians after a few beers.

 

9. Do you have a favourite quote or mantra?

My own quote is ‘Don’t Stop Living‘,also the name of my website and my mantra for life. I stole it from a High School wall while I was backpacking in Toronto, Canada, so that has to be the best.

 

10. What’s your message for people back home?

I love you. Keep being Northern Ireland. Keep being Northern Irish. We’ll support ye evermore!