I became intrigued by the island and thought it would be a great idea to take a photo of the beer bottle in front of the church sign on the island.

Then in a second I began planning similar photos for other Northern Ireland locally produced bottles of beer. Thoughts like Ards Ballyblack stout on the Ballyblack Rd Newtownards, the malty mild Hilden Halt at Hilden railway halt near Lisburn, the Cathedral Quarter pale ale at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast etc…

A bit nerdy and sad, yeah, but what the heck. It would be a bit of fun. What was even better, my new wife and fellow beer drinker Gillian said she would come with me on my placename quest, so surely it couldn’t have been that pathetic an idea?

Others followed in a matter of days like Ards Ballyblack, Whitewater’s deep and fruity Clotworthy Dobbin at Antrim’s Clotworthy Arts Centre; the fresh Clanconnel Weaver’s Gold at Weaver’s Court; and a quartet of Hilden after indulging myself and taking a trip to the Hilden brewery. Hilden Halt; Scullions at Scullions Rd, Mallusk; Cathedral Quarter at St Anne’s Cathedral Belfast and Titanic beer outside the Titanic Visitor Centre.

Oh yeah, I still haven’t been to Inishmacsaint!