Who is your (alternative) most refreshing NI personality?

Belfast boxing hero Paddy Barnes may have taken the title of Carling’s Most Refreshing NI Personality, but who else should have made the top 10?

 

You can get in touch via the Carling Ireland Facebook page or on twiiter using the hashtag #CarlingBrilliantlyRefreshing.

 

 The current top 10 list is as follows:

1. Paddy Barnes
2. Terri Hooley
3. James Nesbitt
4. Stephan Nolan
5. Paddy Kietly
6. Rory McIlroy
7. Tiffany Brien
8. (Jedi) Jim Eastwood
9. Titti Von Tramp
10. Van Morrison

Cameron Stands in the Footprint of Titanic

No...not the Prime Minister, but none other than multi-oscar winning Director James Cameron who visited Northern Ireland recently to launch his Titanic 3D remake. Calling it the highlight of his visit he and Producer Jon Landau visited the last standing place of the Titanic, the Titanic Dock and Pumphouse, in the Northern Ireland Science Park - the very place where Titanic last stood on the eve of her first and last voyage in April 1912.

During the tour which was hosted by Mervyn Watley, Director of Corporate Real Estate and Facilities at the Northern Ireland Science Park and Tour Guide Colin Cobb he said it evoked strong memories of his trips to the ocean bed where the ill-fated liner now lies. He was impressed by the sheer size and authentic nature of the visitor attraction including the dry dock and the original steel dock gate, which itself is over 100 years old and built in the same way as the hull of the Titanic itself.

For anyone who hasn't yet visited the site or stood down in the dock you should make it a priority. Alongside a visit to the Titanic Belfast building, it offers the authentic heritage of the period and immediately presents you with the size and scale of engineering brilliance that Belfast was once synonymous with. Sitting as it does alongside the modern innovation of the Northern Ireland Science Park which plays host to a range of engineering sectors from the modern era, the juxtaposition reminds us that NI's innovation gene is alive and well.

Boxer Barnes ‘Brilliantly Refreshing’ says NI

Belfast boxing hero Paddy Barnes has certainly enjoyed a fantstic summer. Not only did the 25 year old have an incredible London 2012 Olympics, he also made history by becoming the first boxer from Northern Ireland to win consecutive Olympic medals, and to round it all off he has now been named as Carling’s most ‘Brilliantly Refreshing’ personality.

It fell to Gavin Bates from Molson Coors to deliver the good news to Paddy, who in turn decided that Gavin deserved an impromtpu sparring session - can you tell who won? 

In Carling's poll Paddy beat of some stiff competition from the Godfather of Punk, Terri Hooley, the star of Peter Jackson’s Hobbit, James Nesbitt, broadcaster Stephen Nolan, comedian Paddy Kielty and the World’s number one golfer, Rory McIlroy – to name but a few.

The nationwide survey sought to identify Northern Irish personalities who are famous for their open, unique and sometimes controversial views. The announcement of the survey results heralds the launch of Carling’s new ‘Have the Next One on Us’ campaign that is running in participating pubs across Northern Ireland.

Commenting on being named Carling’s most ‘Brilliantly Refreshing Personality’ Paddy Barnes said, “I’m really chuffed to know that people see me as refreshing! I went to the Olympics to compete but also to enjoy the experience. I had a ball, met some fantastic athletes (Usain Bolt was something else) and did my best to represent my country and the sport of boxing.

“The support I received during the Games was amazing and certainly gave me a boost. I’d like to thank everyone who supported me. London 2012 was an experience that I’ll never forget.”