Want to find out more about the Northern Slant team? Every week we put 10 questions to our community of contributors – about them, their interests and hopes for Northern Ireland’s future. Today we speak to Jayne McGlaughlin. You can follow her on Twitter @j_mcglaughlin.

 

1. Tell us about yourself, and why you got involved with Northern Slant.

This is where I should make myself seem interesting but really, in a nutshell, I’m 26, from Antrim (which you should visit if you haven’t), I love coffee and I mostly just aspire to be a Gilmore Girl.  I worked for the SDLP for 3 years and I have just recently made the jump into the world of PR.

A lot of my spare time over the last few years has been spent in the kitchen working my way through my granny’s recipes books and my love of all things baking-related has gradually grown. It was this that made my lovely best friend Heather talk me into writing a Great British Bake Off series for Northern Slant. Who would have thought that after 10 episodes and 10 articles I would miss sharing my quips and observations about the series?

 

2. Describe Northern Ireland in 5 words.

Beautiful, but a little lost.

 

3. What makes you proud to be here?

Since the EU referendum in June 2016, there has been more focus on Northern Ireland than there has been in a long time. All of a sudden, people from around the world were looking and accepting what we have all known for a long time – that we’re a little different here. That difference stretches across many elements, but we have been able to overcome some of the darkest of times and that makes me proud.

For a small place we have a lot to boast about – mainly traybakes. There is also something about a Northern Irish sense of humour that can bring people together in a way that we might struggle to otherwise.

4. Are you hopeful for the future?

It would be so sad to say that there is no hope for the future. Yes, we are in uncertain times with no functioning Assembly and Brexit looming, but we also have so much to offer and so many things to help us keep striving for more and for better.

I think the next few months are going to be defining moments for our politics and these islands. It’s no secret that Brexit will have a negative impact in Northern Ireland but I think we as a society, and our politicians, need to find our way through that protects everyone.

 

5. If you could change one thing about Northern Ireland, what would it be?

I’m not sure if anyone has heard but the Translink Glider doesn’t currently go to Antrim and that would be ideal for me, really.

On a more serious note, people from Northern Ireland have a real tendency to run themselves down and I think we need to begin to be prouder of ourselves and our achievements – it’s okay to accept a compliment.

 

5. Favourite NI celebrity?

I think I’ll have to say Eamonn Holmes.

6. Politician you most admire, from outside Northern Ireland?

Mhairi Black MP from the SNP impresses me more and more. I met her last year when she was in Derry for a Civil Rights panel discussion – her contributions and insights were incredible. She always stands up for the most vulnerable in society and her work with the WASPI campaign is inspiring.

 

8. Favourite place to bring a visitor?

For me, it will always be the north coast. I’m not sure if there is anything better than sitting on the sand dunes with a coffee and then heading to the Ramore restaurant to fight for a table.

 

9. Potato bread or soda bread?

Potato bread, every time.

 

10. Snow Patrol or Van Morrison?

You can’t beat a bit of Van Morrison.

Also published on Medium.