If you in with the irish then ya sound but if ya not in with the irish then they soon let ya know
The friendliest nation on the planet.
Wouldn’t say that now 
nice post.
I did a good few loads of multidrop work to Ireland, North and South.
At that time the A50 round Dublin wasn’t quite completed and the motorway heading North stopped just short of Dundalk.
My deliveries were almost all builders merchants (a few were direct to building sites) and it would be 3 days after leaving the yard before I phoned in empty. I’ve been to Connemara, Cahirsiveen, Skibereen, Dublin, and most of the places in between, over several trips.
I never had a bit of bother, or a problem finding somewhere to park up, or getting a bit of dinner and a pint or two. Keep your eyers open for a pub with a car park big enough, go in and ask. I was always made welcome. Now getting a shower was a different matter. There were a handful of truckstops where showers were available (Mother Hubbards was a chain of about 
, but as builders merchants are mainly only open 8 - 5 and I only seemed to see one during those hours I thought it best to get the work done when I could and hope for a shower once that was finished. It very rarely worked out that way.
I’m ex-army, nor am I shy about mentioning it. I didn’t get any bother from anyone, anywhere.
The only place that made me feel a bit twitchy was on the Newry ring road. I was surprised when driving through Belfast, that the Falls Road and Shankhill Road were major roads. Big enough to be sign posted off the big dual through Belfast. Some of the border Police stations looked extremely secure as well 
Simon:
I did a good few loads of multidrop work to Ireland, North and South.
At that time the A50 round Dublin wasn’t quite completed and the motorway heading North stopped just short of Dundalk.
My deliveries were almost all builders merchants (a few were direct to building sites) and it would be 3 days after leaving the yard before I phoned in empty. I’ve been to Connemara, Cahirsiveen, Skibereen, Dublin, and most of the places in between, over several trips.
I never had a bit of bother, or a problem finding somewhere to park up, or getting a bit of dinner and a pint or two. Keep your eyers open for a pub with a car park big enough, go in and ask. I was always made welcome. Now getting a shower was a different matter. There were a handful of truckstops where showers were available (Mother Hubbards was a chain of about
I’m ex-army, nor am I shy about mentioning it. I didn’t get any bother from anyone, anywhere.The only place that made me feel a bit twitchy was on the Newry ring road. I was surprised when driving through Belfast, that the Falls Road and Shankhill Road were major roads. Big enough to be sign posted off the big dual through Belfast. Some of the border Police stations looked extremely secure as well
If you were ex army were you fighting over here and I’m surprised no one give you bother over here for that
So all of the British army was in Ireland then? 
I do enjoy a trip to NI. Went in from Cairnryan to Larne last week for the first time landing in the early hours. Was a bit unsure of where to park up but luckily found a quiet spot near my pick up in Magherafelt.
On a previous trip I went through Belfast on the M2 with a film set load - two 1970s army Landrovers in full garb. Got a few looks from passing traffic…
bigvern1:
So all of the British army was in Ireland then?
Sure I didn’t say that I said were you fighting over here
Didn’t see a question mark at the end of your post. 
I’m from the south and have been driving north a long time now. Twice only I had any bother, was directed down a cul de sac in belfast one night with a promise that I could get out the other end. I couldn’t and it was a bum clenching reverse out. But to be fair, no one came near and it was probably my own stupid predujudices that made me nervous.
The 2nd time, I came off the Birkenhead boat with a delivery of forklift cabs for hyster in craigavon. I pulled in at a petrol station and asked a lad on a push bike where the industrial estate was and he told me he didn’t speak irish. To which I replies, sorry, I didn’t realise you weren’t local. The man in the shop directed me right to the gate of the estate.
Ireland both north and south is an extremely friendly and beautiful place. I’ve holidayed in the north since and met some fantastic people, hospitable and friendly. I met a prick that day in craigavon but sure there’s one of them in most families.
Don’t be one bit afraid of the north, it’s a cracking place.
bigvern1:
Didn’t see a question mark at the end of your post.
He’s from Co Derry hey so you might need to explain what a question mark is 
peter s:
bigvern1:
Didn’t see a question mark at the end of your post.He’s from Co Derry hey so you might need to explain what a question mark is
What’s wrong with derry
bigvern1:
Didn’t see a question mark at the end of your post.
Yes should of put a question mark at the end of it 
Got back on friday from my first trip over he water to Ireland.
I arrived Liverpool docks at 15.30 on wednesday for 22.00 P&O sailing to Dublin. Due to weather boarded ship at 04.00 thursday. Not a bad crossing with cabin and reasonable grub. Arrived Dublin and disembarked at 12.45 and headed off to my 8am 
drop at Ballymoney N. Ireland. Nice drive up there but why is it on the 2 occassions that I stopped to ask directions in N. Ireland was I told “Sorry driver, we don’t speak English here” 
Anyway found the drop and returned Dublin to find that the P&O thursday evening crossing had been delayed to 04.00 friday, so boss sent me onto Stena to Holyhead. This ship was far better than P&O, trucker’s own lounge, great food even had steak cooked to order. Anyway, now that I have got this one under my belt I am looking forward to the next trip
penfold:
“Sorry driver, we don’t speak English here”
penfold:
the 2 occassions that I stopped to ask directions in N. Ireland was I told “Sorry driver, we don’t speak English here”
I have been to Northern Ireland once, and I encountered exactly the same attitude. Sheer nastiness.
I was spat at in Belfast, and had bricks thrown at the lorry, simply because I happened to fall out of my mother’s ■■■■■■ in Kent. When I tried to go for a beer, I was approached at the bar by thugs, telling me “Sorry Son, locals only” In the most threatening and frightening way imaginable…
Of course, I understand that Ireland has a long and troubled history, especially in relation to Westminster, but I felt that the hatred I was shown by the locals was completely unneccessary. I am a truck driver, not a politician, FFS. It isn’t my fault.
I have been to a lot of countries, and have experienced much friendship. I have drunk tea with Iraqis while our countries were at war, and we have got on like a house on fire. I have got on well with other truckers from two dozen different countries.
I’m sorry if this ruffles feathers, but the Northern Irish are the most hate-filled people I have ever met. I would never go there again, and that’s the only country I have ever been to about which I would say that.
Vince
It depends upon which town you went into in N Ireland, I guess.There are peolpel who hate the english and there are ones who do not ( they are probably the Protestants. I am no politician myself and its bad that truck drivers should be treated this way. N. Irish drivers do not get badly treated in the UK no matter what side opf the fence you are on!!!
My father has worked for many Irish firms, one in particular was Derry Bros. Whilst he was stuck there over a weekend, the owner Jim Derry ( now deceased) took him to a bar. He told him not to open his mouth and he would do all the talking etc and buying the grog!!
Another one was Dukes, you had to be careful which religion you said you were!!! This is to drive a truck!!
I was in Omagh a couple of years ago and the people were very friendly and didn’t encounter any nastiness. N.Ireland is a nice place and I wouldnt hesitate to go back there. I have been to many parts in N.Ireland even when the troubles were on in the 70s /80s and were not met with any hostility!
Can I first apologise to anyone who has come to N. Ireland and received bad treatment. This is most certainly A MINORITY of people, who are unfortunately the scum. They are a bit like English football hooligans, a small number of evil thugs who end up tarnishing the whole countries reputation. Does that mean all English are evil thugs? Of course not.
The vast majority of N. Irish people welcome everyone. There are hundreds of UK mainland trucks over here every week and have nothing but praise. I speak to a lot of them on the boats and the only complaint is the lack of HGV facilities, but that is a different matter.
I have had several bad experiences on the mainland, but that certainly does not put me off Britain. I was refused service in a Cardiff pub because I was “a mick”. I get regular offensive snide comments from so called “professional drivers” whilst at services/truckstops. I was at rugby before Christmas, and a group of drivers changed the subject as soon as I sat down. They spent the next 30 minutes making racist comments and putting down the Irish drivers. Also, Northern Irish plates on a truck attract the traffic police like flies round [zb].
All this does not mean the British hate the Irish, its just a minority that cause the problem.
In the past lot of years, Northern Ireland has changed considerably, for the better. I am glad you are looking forward to your next trip penfold, and I wish you every success working here.
Regards,
John
I agree with the last answer where ever you go they are allways a
few ill-mannered members , I have meet and worked with
a huge number of persons from both sides of the island
and all I can say is ,the nice people out-weigh by far the
uncouth,and ill-mannered that you unfortunatly crossed paths
with.